Definition & Meaning of "Cushitic languages"

What are "Cushitic languages"?

Cushitic languages are a branch of the Afroasiatic language family, primarily spoken in the Horn of Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Major Cushitic languages include Somali, Oromo, Afar, and Beja. These languages are characterized by features such as complex vowel systems, noun class systems, and agglutinative morphology, where words are formed by combining various prefixes and suffixes. Cushitic languages have significant cultural and historical importance, as they are associated with diverse ethnic groups and rich oral traditions. The study of Cushitic languages offers insights into the linguistic diversity of the Horn of Africa, the social dynamics of the region, and the historical interactions among different peoples.