The
Yao people,
Wayao, are a major
Bantu ethnic and linguistic group based at the southern end of
Lake Malawi, which played an important part in the history of
Southeast Africa during the 19th century. The Yao are a predominantly
Muslim people of about 2 million spread over three countries,
Malawi, northern
Mozambique, and in
Ruvuma Region and
Mtwara Region of
Tanzania. The Yao people have a strong cultural identity, which transcends the national borders.