Using fieldwork data from the Tanzanian Songea District, it is examined how borrowed Swahili words are integrated in Ngoni, based on a frame covering semantic generalisation, specialisation and change. Semantic widening of borrowed terms and a tilt to substitute old Ngoni terms with both Swahili and Ngoni hypernyms, points out that speaker Ngoni skills are declining. This may be related to a more extensive weakening of Ngoni culture and traditions, which may impact language maintenance.