Yao (ethnic group in Africa)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The waYao, or Yao, is a major ethnic and linguistic group based at the southern end of Lake Malawi, with an estimated 1,000,000 speakers in Malawi, 495,000 in Mozambique, and 492,000 in Tanzania. The nationality's traditional homeland is located between the Rovuma and the Lugenda Rivers in northern Mozambique.
The Yao moved into what is now the southern region of Malawi around the 1830s, when they were active as slave traders for the Swahili Arab slave traders on the coast of Mozambique. Rich in culture, tradition, and music, the Yao are primarily Muslim, and count among their famous progeny a former President of the Republic of Malawi, Bakili Muluzi.
They speak a Bantu language known as Chiyao ("Yao language", chi meaning "language"), Achawa, Adsawa, Adsoa, Ajawa, Ayawa, Ayo, Ayao, Djao, Haiao, Hiao, Hyao, Jao, Veiao, or Wajao.
Other major languages of Malawi include Chichewa and Chitimbuka. They also speak the official language of the countries they inhabit, English in Malawi and Portuguese in Mozambique.
[edit] Bibliography
- J. Clyde Mitchell, The Yao Village: A Study in the Social Structure of a Malawian Tribe Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1956, 1966, 1971
 |
This article about an ethnic group in Africa is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 |
This Mozambique-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 |
This article about a Tanzanian ethnicity is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 |
This Malawi-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
