1/11 @tlsibanda here is a thread on the Yaos in Bulawayo. The Yao form a significant and if not the most fascinating group of the Malawian migrant population in Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe they are called amaTshawa or maChawa. They should not be confused with the Chewa people.

2/11The Yao are a Bantu ethnic group that is predominantly Muslim and their homeland is in the southern shore of Lake Malawi and Northern Mozambique. Like most Malawian ethnic groups, the Yao are matrilineal.

3/11 Most of the Yaos migrated to the then Rhodesia dating back as early 1900s peaking in the 60s and 70s drawn by employment opportunities in the mines, farms and urban centers. Bulawayo as a booming colonial hub attracted a significant number of Yaos.

4/11Owing to poor education most first generation Yaos found menial jobs with the Rhodesia Railways, the Cold Storage Commission, Bulawayo Municipality and other industries in the city. Some ventured into the mining towns in the region.

5/11 Zimbabwe's independence brought opportunities for the Yaos particularly quality education for the second and third generations. This helped in getting the Yaos assimilated in the culture of Bulawayo. The Highlanders duo of Amini and Makwinja Soma-Phiri are of Yoa heritage.

6/11 As indicated the Yao are predominantly Muslim and this is the case with the Yaos found in Bulawayo. Most of the Yaos practice folk lslam which is a syncretisation of Islam and traditional beliefs. There is however a growing move to a more Orthodox brand of lslam of late.

7/11 ln Bulawayo there is 5 places of worship/masjids that serve primarily the Yao Muslims and these are in Makhokhoba, Mpophoma, Magwegwe, Lobhengula and the recently built one in Sizinda. The are other Masjids that serve the mostly the Asian community in the Eastern Suburbs.

8/11 Like all Bantu ethnic groups, birth, maturity, marriage and death are marked with certain rites among the Yao.Funeral rites are closely linked to the Muslim rituals. The dead are placed and buried in a white shroud rather than a regular coffin as is the norm in Zimbabwe.

9/11The Muslim ritual cleansing of the body which the Yaos practice diligently has given rise to enduring myths in Bulawayo. Cemeteries in Bulawayo have reserved space for Muslim burials. Sadaka, a form of memorial ( with festivities) is a regular Yao tradition even in Bulawayo.

10/11The post colonial generations of Yaos in Bulawayo mostly speak Ndebele as a first language ..yours truly kasiphumputhi. At home the Yao language is extensively and proudly used.

11/11 An adventurous group, the Yaos are ever on the move. Most of the 2nd/3rd generation Yaos have emigrated as Bulawayo's fortunes waned at the turn of the 21st century. There has been intermarriage as well leading to an emerging group of Yaos of mixed heritage in Bulawayo.