The Makhuwa language, Emakhuwa (also spelled Makua and Macua) is the primary Bantu language of northern Mozambique. It is spoken by 4 million Makua people, who live north of the Zambezi River, particularly in the province of Nampula. It is the most populous indigenous language of Mozambique. The province of Nampula has practically no other ethnic group. It is also spoken in the Congo in the district of Makoua Long and short vowels are used for i, e, a, o, u, which is unusually sparse for a Bantu language: Makhuwa is closely related to Lomwe.