Dances of the Yao

The Yao, are a predominantly Muslim people group of about 2 million spread over three countries, Malawi, northern Mozambique, and in Ruvuma Region and Mtwara Region of Tanzania people, have numerous dances to enhance celebrations throughout the calendar year. The dances are often segregated based on gender. The majority of dances fall around the initiation times for boys and girls while others are seen during religious festivals such as the syala.

Types of Yao dances

• AMALILO - Large group dancing involving both men and women usually seen during the end of unyago (initiation) periods.
• BENI - A popular dance involving men of all ages in which the dancers dress up like soldiers in homemade uniforms.
• CHAMBA - A secretive dance held during the second phase of msondo in which only women or girls who have gone through initiation can be present. Lessons are taught on hygiene, childrearing and more during these dances.
• CHISAKASA - This dance is only for women and is related to the birth of a woman's first child. It is usually an all-night affair.
• LIKWATA - A celebratory dance in which only old women are involved.
• LYOGO - A dance seen during the time in which boys and girls are entering the unyago (initiation) camps.
• CHIWODA - An older women's dance often seen during public events.
• MAKWAYELA - A public dance performed by women of all ages.
• MANGANJE - A sexual group dance held late at night. Can involve sexual intercourse.
• MANAWA - A girl's dance performed during nsondo (initiation).
• MASEWE - A dance performed by younger men during the time of unyago (initiation).
• MAWULIDI - A celebratory dance held by female family members of a woman who has just had a child after a long time in which no children have been born to her. The baby is passed around from woman to woman during the dance.
• MSONDO - A dance for women only performed during times of girl's intiation. Considered by some to be quite immoral.
• SIKILI - A religious Muslim dance in which men or women dance during syala events.
• SINGENGE - A dance performed by young girls during the time of unyago (initiation).
• ZIMBABWE - One of the dances for a large group seen during the end of unyago festivities.

Yao Amalilo dance in Chanika, Mandimba, Niassa, Mozambique 2011 & video from 2013

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Yao Beni dance in Majuni, Mangochi, Malawi 2006

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Yao Likwata dance in Majuni, Mangochi, Malawi 2006

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Yao Sikili dance near Chikaloni, Mandimba, Niassa, Mozambique 2013 (exception of video)

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Yao Singenge dance in Chanika, Mandimba, Niassa, Mozambique 2013

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See also

• unyago

Literature

• Dicks, Ian. An African Worldview: the Muslim Amacinga Yawo of Southern Malawi. Zomba, Malawi. Kachere Series, 2012.
• Edmondson, Laura. "National Erotica: The Politics of "Traditional" Dance in Tanzania". The MIT Press. Vol. 45, No. 1 (2001) pp 153-170
• Wegher, P. Luis. Um Olhar sobre O Niassa, 2nd vol. Maputo: Paulinas, 1999.

External links

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