Author Archives: Tim Cowley

About Tim Cowley

Tim has lived amongst the Yawo people of Malawi and Mozambique since 2003. He has been involved in numerous projects seeking to address health, education, literacy, spiritual development, sports, media and publication. His current project is assisting in the set up of a library in Mandimba, Mozambique. Tim hopes to one day bike the 19th century trade route from Malawi to the coast in Tanzania.

National Identification Among the Yao of Malawi and Mozambique

Posted on 31/08/2011 by Tim Cowley

We are pleased to make available an abstract from Amanda Lea Robinson who conducted research in Namwera, Malawi and Mandimba, Mozambique in 2009 to get insight into how the Yao tribe view their identities based on what country they live in. … Continue reading →

Posted in Academic, Anthropology | 1 Comment

Syala

Posted on 29/07/2011 by Tim Cowley

Each year, the calendar of any Muslim Yao person just isn’t quite complete without with a few syalas to attend. According to this online music dictionary, a syala showcases “…Qur’anic recitation by two performers, teacher and student. Other Islamic traditions … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthropology, Islam, Music | Leave a comment

Book Review: “Mlozi of Central Africa”

Posted on 21/05/2011 by Tim Cowley

Whenever I happen upon a bookstore in Malawi, I just can’t help but wander in “just in case”. Usually, I leave the same way I went in, disappointed at the lack of new reading material that catches my eye. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Book resource, History, Islam, Slavery | Leave a comment

“The fundamentalist challenge, or rehinging the pendulum”, guest editorial by Alan Thorold

Posted on 20/04/2011 by Tim Cowley

We are proud to make available a 2005 Anthropology Today article from Dr. Alan Thorold entitled ‘The fundamental challenge, or, rehinging the pendulum’. (Anthropology Today 21(4): 1-2.) How should anthropologists deal with the challenge of fundamentalism? To the extent that … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthropology, Islam | Leave a comment

Dr. Livingstone attacked by Ajawa

Posted on 06/04/2011 by Tim Cowley

A letter written by African explorer & missionary Dr. David Livingstone has recently been auctioned in the U.K. and reports an attack he suffered from the Ajawa (Yawo) people. Read the story here.

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Music break: Mr. Beto & Dom Cassimo’s Mangadje

Posted on 05/04/2011 by Tim Cowley
Posted in Music, Video | Leave a comment

Dr. Thorold’s recommended reads

Posted on 27/03/2011 by Tim Cowley

Many thanks to Dr. Alan Thorold, currently Associate Professor of Anthropology at the Catholic University of Malawi, for informing us of other works that have not yet been listed in our online bibliography on works related to the Yawo people: … Continue reading →

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Wisdom of the Yawo People (Lunda lwa ŵandu ŵa Ciyawo) | audio files for download

Posted on 24/03/2011 by Tim Cowley

Ian Dicks’ book, Wisdom of the Yawo People, has a companion resource available (in 2 cds) which is excellent for those working on learning the Yawo language. He has offered some of the stories, in both English and Ciyawo, available … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Book resource, Language | 1 Comment

Music break: Mr. Beto of Mandimba, Mozambique sings “Ngondo”

Posted on 05/03/2011 by Tim Cowley
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Kwimba pa Chiyao

Posted on 05/03/2011 by Tim Cowley

A friend in Malawi recently purchased several hundred of these Christian song books, Kwimba pa Chiyao. If you are interested in purchasing a copy, simply leave a reply to this post. (I will keep your post private so it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Book resource | Leave a comment