Information, photos, downloadable media & more about the Yawo people of Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania Welcome (in English) This site represents the work of numerous individuals and groups who wish to provide to the world information FOR the Yawo people (also known as the Ajao, Ajawa, Ayao, Chiyao, Wajao) and ABOUT the Yawo: who they are, where they call home, resources available IN Ciyawo, etc. Bem Vindo (em Portugues) Aqui nos queremos apresentar mais materias sobre as pessoas Ajawa (Yawo). Mozambique e a lugar de origem das pessoas Ajawa, mas agora ha meior Ajawa aficando em Malawi. Tupochele! (Ciyawo) Akunokuno, uwe tukusaka kupeleka kwa wandu wosope pa cilambo chapasi manews yakwamba wandu wa Yawo. Tukwete akuno manews yakwamba mabuku mu Ciyawo, yitusitusi ya malo ga ku Malawi ni Mozambique kwapi wandu wa Yawo kutama, ni yindu yine yejinji... New Materials Available & Noteworthy News March 2009 - A group of American university students has begun raising funds as they plan for a summer 2009 project spent in the Niassa Province of Mozambique. Calling themselves the Kujilana Project, these young filmmakers intend to "equip the Yao to capture their stories; to capture positive images of Muslim culture; and to shoot a feature-length, broadcast-quality documentary" with footage from both Americans and local Yao who will be trained in camera operation. Read more & watch the trailer here February 2009 - Music of Resistance, a production of Al Jazeera (English), has added a two-part series to YouTube which explains Feliciano Dos Santos [of the popular band Massukos] is "using his music to fight against diseases and for clean water and sanitation in Mozambique." While Santos is not of the Yawo tribe, his band often sings in Ciyawo and is well known in northern Mozambique where many Yawo live. Watch Part I | Part II February 2009 - Healthcare in Mandimba gives an inside look at the problems a rural district like Mandimba in the Niassa Province of Mozambique faces in the health care field. This production from MaMA (www.ma-ma.co.uk) explains: "Mozambique is rudimentary at best and is worst for rural communities who live away from the town. As well as developing the economy in the district of Mandimba, MaMA is building a 'waiting-house' for pregnant women such as Esnati." Watch the YouTube video to learn more. December 2008 - Two new video shorts about the Yawo people of Niassa Province in Mozambique are now available to view on Youtube. For more information, visit the media page. October 2008 - Father Joao Baptista Amide of Lichinga, Mozambique has released a new book entitled Wayao 'We. For more details, contact the Lichinga Diocese of Niassa Province, Mozambique. September 2008 - The Bible Society of Malawi is proud to announce a new audio bible in Ciyawo. Known as "The Proclaimer", they are being sold to listening clubs through churches for about 1000-1500MK each. Other groups are able to apply for purchase as well. Contact the Bible Society of Malawi for more details. July 2008 - Ciyawo Grammar Workshop DVD set, for both Stream 1 (beginners) and Stream 2 (intermediate) learners, now available by special order. May 2008 - Rosemary Argente [see this article at the Society of Malawi] has authored a new book entitled Always With You that details personal family history going back 10 generations. Ms. Argente, fluent in Ciyawo, grew up in the Namwera, Malawi area during the mid 20th century and has Yawo heritage. October 2006 - Wisdom of the Yawo People: Under the Elephant's Belly, You Can't Pass Twice by Ian Dicks available from Kachere Press or at your local Malawian bookstore. Buy prints, greeting cards & postcards featuring images of the Yawo and the areas in which they live.                           Visit our new storefront Featuring these images and more... Resources Available in Ciyawo This feature brings you a comprehensive list of books, films and music that we know about existing in the Yawo language. A Researcher's Bibliography For those doing research about the Yawo, this nearly-comprehensive list of materials and resources available should aid you greatly! Online Media We plan to upload materials to Youtube or other sites to make material more widely available in Ciyawo or about areas where the Yawo live. Here's what we've found so far available online in Ciyawo. Orthography The governments of several southern African countries are currently trying to standardize written Ciyawo and have come up with their suggestions. Here is what the Center for Language Studies in Malawi has suggested in 2006. Famous Faces Recently started...your help needed: The Yawo people have a rich history stretching back hundreds of years and some have become famous around the world during times of African exploration and colonization, up to the present day political scene. Where the Yawo Live Future Feature: Of the 2-million estimated Yawo people, the majority live in Malawi near the southern lakeshore of Lake Malawi. Their original home is northern Mozambique (Niassa Province) and a minority live as well in southern Tanzania. Resource Review Future Feature: For this feature we plan to pick up books in Ciyawo or about the Yawo and let you know what we think of the book, film, or whatever. Downloadable Readings in Ciyawo Future Feature: We are working on adding books and stories in Ciyawo available to those who speak the language or are attempting to learn it. Questions? Comments? Email babatim(at)gmail(dot)com