YAO TRIBE - MALAWI

Yao is one of the greatest tribes in Malawi located mainly in the Southern Region. Due to business, a number of them are found in major cities across the country. 

A considerable number of Yao people have also crossed the borders of Malawi to work in neighbouring countries like South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Yao people contributed a lot to the development of Malawi in almost all sectors.

IN POLITICS:

1.   Bakili Muluzi, (born March 17, 1943) was President of Malawi from 1994-2004. A Muslim, he was given the title “Father of multiparty”, one of the leading people who fought for democracy in Malawi. From Kapoloma, Machinga.

2.   Joice Banda, installed President of Malawi (7 April 2012) after the sudden death of Bingu wa Mutharika; Vice President of Malawi (2009-2012). Previously Minister of Women, Gender and Social Welfare. Director of charitable organization Joyce Banda Foundation.

3.   Lilian Patel of T/A Jalasi in Mangochi District. Member of Parliament for Mangochi South for 15 years. Held many ministerial posts during the time of Dr. Bakili Muluzi’s presidency including Minister of Health, Education and External Affairs. Married Mr. Roloff Patel, an Asian national (deceased).

4.   Aires Ali, (2010) was a Prime Minister of Mozambique

5.   Mwalone Jangiya, 2009-2014 first Muslim Woman to become MP, From Machinga

6.   Aisha Mambo Adams, second Muslim woman to be Member of Parliament, from Chiwaula village, T/A Chimwala, Mangochi.

7.   Lawrence Makata a representative of Nyasaland in the failed federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

8.   Edward Bwanali from Lundu Blantyre minister during kamuzu and muluzi.

9.   Alhaji Shaibu Itimu MP balaka and Minister during Muluzi time

10.   Yusuf Mwawa MP and Minister during Muluzi and Bingu

11.   Mussa Gama Member of Parliament for Zomba during kamuzu.

12.   Henderson Mabeti MP in Blantyre during Muluzi time

13.   Abubakar M’baya MP Mangochi since 1994 to date not sure if he was once Minister

14.   Yusuf matumula MP Mangochi during Bingu time

15.   Sheikh Ibrahim Matola MP from 2004 to 2014. Minister during Joyce Banda time.

16.   Jafali Mussa MP machinga east during Muluzi and Minister and ambassador for Egypt during Bingu time

17.   Muhammad Kulesi ambassador for Libya during Muluzi time

18.   Ibrahim Milazi Ambassador for Libya and later U.K. During Muluzi time

19.   Lali lubani Minister during kamuzu

20.   A brother to Lawrence Makata was also an MP at the demise of Lawrence MAkata

21.   Catherine chipembere MP for Mangochi and Minister during Muluzi.

22.   Willie Chokani ambassador to USA during Muluzi time

23.   Alfred Mwechumu MP Mangochi from 2004 to 2014.

24.   Jangiya MP for Machinga from 1994 to 2009

25.   Mrs Jangiya MP Machinga 2009 to 2014

26.   Hassan MP for Salima in 1994

27.   Kudontoni MP for Salima 1994 in 2014 became SG for DPP

28.   Halima Daudi, Lumbazi, Mp

29.   Sheikh Wanja MP Mangochi 1994

30.   Caroline Bwanali Mussa from Mahajuba Ulongwe Balaka ambassador Egypt from 2015 to date

31.   Wilfred ali ambassador to Kuwait from Malindi Mangochi from 2015

32.   Yahaya Mmadi ambassador Egypt from 1998 to 2005 and MEC commissioner from 2016.

33.   Saddik MP for Machinga 1994

34.   Thengo Maloya MP for Machinga 1994 to 2014

35.   Sangala MP for Blantyre Malabada 2004 and Minister during Bingu to date.

36.   Others: Henery Masauko Chipembere, Dr. Meke Mtewa, James Chikwenga, Gomile Kumtumanje, Twaibu Sangala (deceased), Kapichira Mussah and Wenham Nakanga.

EDUCATION

1.   Dr. Daniel Sikawa, Lecturer, University of Malawi’s Bunda College of Agriculture (LUANAR). From Namwera, Malawi.

2.   Dr. Imrane Sharif Muhamed, Lecturer, University of Malawi’s Chancellor College. Dr. Sharif Muhamad also served as Secretary General, Public Affairs Committee (PAC) and Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM). From Namwera, Mangochi District. 

3.   Richard Maliro, Senior lecturer at LUANAR, from Mtamira Village, T/A Mponda, Mangochi

4.   Dr. Abdul-Aziz Kazembe, lecturer at LUANAR, T/A Kumtumanje, Zomba.

5.   Dr. Daudi Kassam, senior lecturer at LUANAR

6.   Rajab Nkakosya, lecturer at Malawi College of Medicine, Malunda village, T/A Mponda, mangochi

7.   Mr. Witness Mdoka, Lecturer at Catholic University

8.   Mrs. Lemani (Nee Miss Namwera), Lecturer, Polytechnic, Blantyre, Malawi

9.   Symon Mkwinda, Deputy Director, department of land and water conservation, Ministry of Agriculture, from Malukula Village, T/A Chowe, Mangochi.

10.   Dr. Jamali Deen Idruss, Lecturer at Malawi College of Medicine, From Idruss Village, T/A Jalasi, Mangochi.

11.   Jeseph Matola, saved as a Director of Finance and Administration, Ministry of Education. From Malukula village, T/A Mponda, Mangochi

12.   Late professor chimombo from Zomba chancellor

13.   Halima Twabi lecture chancellor college

14.   Caroline Bwanali Mussa lecture from Mahajuba Ulongwe Polytechnic

15.   Dr Rajab Nkakosya college of medicine

16.   Associate Aslam Senga college for medicine from chiradzulu

17.   Dr. Eric Umar lecture college of medicine

18.   Dr john abdul-Aziz Kazembe from Zomba lecture Bunda college

19.   Dr Daudi Kassam from Machinga lecture Bunda college

REVOLUTIONISTS 

1.   John Chilembwe, real name John Chelembwe, Chelembwe in Yao language meaning “It was written”. One of the leading people who fought against colonialism. 

2.   T/A Makanjira, T/A jalasi, T/A Kawinga, T/A Kawinga, T/A Mponda, T/A Matapwili of Mulanje made alliance to fight against colonialism in Malawi. They fought with Harry Johnstone and his captain Montgomery Maguire, they managed to kill famous Montgomery Maguire.

ECONOMICS, FINANCE, MANAGEMENT, HEALTH, MDF, POLICE, FORESTRY

1.   Mustapha Kaunde, Deputy director of Forestry working in the department Forestry Head Quarters in Lilongwe, from Malunga village, T/A Mponda, Mangochi

2.   Charles Kamoto, Managing Director of airtel, also worked with zain for 14 years.

3.   Alie Twayib, has been in the ministry of Finance since 1998

4.   Sili Mbewe, Financial controller, Lilongwe Water Board, from Mgunda Phiri village, T/A Mponda, Mangochi

5.   Shaibu Mludi, Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority, Working as Electrical Engineer, from kanyenda, T/A Likoswe, Chiradzulu

6.   Hamisi Twabi, Senior deputy secretary at Ministry of Defence, from Mkata village, T/A Bwananyambi, Mangochi.

7.   Tedi Kamoto, Deputy Director Department of Forestry, Zone manager, from T/A Chikowi, Zomba

8.   Dr.Ronald Mangani, Secretary to treasury, associate Professor at Chancellor College, From t/A Mpama, Charadzulu

9.   Abdul Qadr Ali, senior Mananager, Teveta, M’baluku Village, T/A Jalasi, Mangochi.

10.   Tujilane Chimzunmila, Ph.D. in Business Studies who worked with Reserve Bank of Malawi as Internal Finance Manageress. A wife to Collins Chimzumila

11.   Wilfred Ali. Ambassador for KUWAIT, from Malindi, T/A, Chomwe, Mangochi

12.   Clement Mataka, Director, Ministry of Agriculture, T/A Malemia, Zomba

13.   Dr Habib Somanje now working with world health organization from Phalombe

14.   Dr. Mtende from Mangochi kamuzu central

15.   Late Dr haji Juma from Dedza tambala village

16.   Late Dr. Idana from tambala village Dedza TB control

17.   Dr James Mpunga from Zomba director TB control

18.   Dr George Bello CHISU

19.   Dr Shaffi Mdala from Mangochi Queens CENTRAL

20.   Dr Beveli laha queens

21.   Dr latif Ndeketa from namanolo balaka

22.   Dr Imran Ismail kamuzu central from balaka

23.   Dr. Chilungo from balaka kamuzu central

24.   Dr MacNeil Ngongondo from Zomba kamuzu central

25.   Dr. Noordeen alide from balaka TB control

26.   Alfred Upindi from chiradzulu secretary to the president and cabinet 1994-2004.

27.   Willie Samute Deputy Chief Secretary OPC from Zomba from 2012 to 2015

28.   Dr Macphail Magwira PS for Health Education Defence and Transport from chiradzulu

29.   Elias Ngongondo PS Trade and Industry from Zomba

30.   William Lapken Director Planning Transport from Mangochi

31.   Sumaisi Director Human Resources Health and Local Government from Zomba

32. Yusuf Jonas. Manager, Security Management and Administration, G4S Secure Solutions Malawi Limited. Yao history contributor

YAO GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

1.   Josephy Iron of Mpondas village, Mangochi District, served as Inspector General of the Malawi Police Service

2.   Dr. Salumin Omar serves as an advisor to the President Bingu Wa Mutharika on Islamic Affairs. He is from Namwera, Malawi.

3.   Dr. Kalonga Stambuli was an advisor of former President Dr. Bakili Muluzi on Economic Affairs. He is from Chimbende, T/A Chowe, Mangochi.

4.   Dr. Andrew Daudi, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture. From Namwera, Mangochi District.

RELIGIOUS LEADERS

1.   Sheik Idrissa Muhammad, elected twice as the Leader of Malawi Muslims Association, Makanjira, Mangochi

2.   Sheik Dinala Chabulika, founder of Islamic Information Bureau, Mangochi

3.   Muhammad Silika, translated Qur’an into Yao language, Mangochi

4.   Bishop Thomas Msusa hails from Iba village in T/A Katuli, Mangochi District. He became the Chief Priest at Mayaka Parish in Zomba under the Zomba diocese. Bishop Msusa went to Catholic University for Eastern Africa in Kenya for his Master’s Degree in Theology. For further education, he obtained his Ph.D in Rome, Italy and was appointed as Province Minister to the Vatican under Uganda, Kenya, Zambia and Tanzania. He is the first Yao Bishop in the Roman Catholic Church and worked under the Zomba Diocese.

5.   Mufti Abidi Salom. First person to be awarded title of Mufti in Malawi.

6.   Mufti Kassam Abasi of T/A Chowe, Mangochi District, Malawi. Second Mufti of Malawi.

7.   Sheik Mkwanda of Bibi Kuluwunda’s village in Salima, Malawi was known to speak 14 languages.

YAWO CHIEFS

1.   T/A Makanjira, One of the most famous Yao chiefs during the slave trade who stood up to the British governmental system but was eventually defeated by Sir Harry Johnston’s army who opposed the trading of slaves. In exchange for slaves, the Portuguese and Arabs traded weapons. It is believed that Makanjira used traditional medicine in order to overcome his enemies. When driven away by Bandawe and his soldiers, he fled to Mozambique (Portuguese East Africa). To this day, Makanjira is famous for his use of magic locally known as chitega.

2.   T/A Katuli was the first Yao chief to rule a greater area between the borders of Malawi and Mozambique. In Malawi, he has made boundary with T/A Jalasi and T/A Makanjira as well as T/A Chowe and across the borders his areas is extended to Masangulu. He was chosen to pass judgments during the colonial rule in Zomba when the British government decided to give power to traditional chiefs whether to execute convicts found guilty of murder charges. He was known as the only Yawo chief in Mangochi who supported strongly the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) when other chiefs denounced Kamuzu’s government because of Moto village arrest and Masauko Chipembere.

3.   T/A Tambala, originally of Mozambique, settled at Masuku area of Mangochi District in Malawi. He proceeded later to Dedza where he fought the Ngoni and Chewa tribes and settled in the midst of their homelands. He is known as the first Yao chief to settle in the Central Region of the country in a place where they are not surrounded by other Yao people. He was a follower of Islam and demanded circumcision among his male subjects. He was also famous for carrying a cock (chitundu) in a kraal as his magic weapon. This cock is believed to have protected him from his enemies and every one called him Che Tambala because of this practice. His village is known up to this day as ku Chitundu ku Che Tambala.

4.   T/A Kuntaja of Blantyre, Malawi

5.   T/A Mkalo of Chiradzulu, Malawi

6.   T/A Kadewere of Chiradzulu, Malawi

7.   T/A Mpama of Chiradzulu, Malawi

8.   T/A Chikoni of Zomba, Malawi

9.   T/A Kumtumanje of Zomba, Malawi

10.    Bibi Kuluwunda of Salima, Malawi

11.   T/A Chikumbu of Mulanje, Malawi

12.    T/A Msamale of Balaka, Malawi

13.   T/A Mposa, Machinga

14.   T/A Kawinga, Machinga

15.   T/A Mlomba, Machinga

16. T/A Nyambi, Machinga

YAWO WOMEN

Mayi Patuma Ali, Mayi Sanudi and Mayi Manesi hailed from the Namwera area of Mangochi District, Malawi. They were popular during the Malawi Congress Party regime as dancers from Nkhwanzi Mbumba. President for life Kamuzu Banda was impressed with their skills. Though they were not educated, Kamuzu took them to England saying learning does not mean going to school only but also traveling. When you travel you learn new things you have never experienced in your life.

YAWO SPORTING FIGURES

1.   Swadick Sanudi of Ulongwe, T/A Msamala in Balaka District, Malawi. First choice Malawi National Football Team. Schooled at Mtaja CDSS in Machinga. Picked by Big Bullets when Mtaja CDSS beat Big Bullets Youth 5-1. Plays professionally in South Africa.

2.    Affick Sikelo of Mangochi, Malawi. Footballer with Big Bullets for many years as well as National Team player. Now living in Chiromoni Township, Blantyre.

3.   John Maduka of T/A Katuli in Mangochi, Malawi. Played with Silver Strikers and Malawi National Football Team for many years as midfielder. Now based in South Africa where he played professionally.

4.   Hassan Mankhokwe of 6 Miles in Zomba, T/A Mulumbe, Malawi. Former goalkeep for Red Lions Football Club.

YAWO MUSICIANS

1.   Tambala Chitenje of Mangochi, Malawi. Composer of “Tambala Chitenje” and “Soka”.

2.   Wilson Makawa of Malawi living abroad in Zambia. Known for his song “Katukutu Sigela Jika”.

3.   Gides Chalamanda of Njuli in Chiradzulu, Malawi. Composed “Chigalimoto Cha kwa America” and “Buffalo Soldier”

4.    Moris Maulidi of Songani in Zomba, Malawi. Formed his group known as Songani Strings Stars and most famous for producing “Asakina Pikanani”.

5.   New comers: Ahmed Pillow, Ishmael Katawala

OTHERS

1.   Jack Mapanje, (born 1944 in Kadango) is a Malawian writer and poet. He was the former head of English at the University of Malawi, and is currently a senior lecturer in English at Newcastle University.

2.   Mungo Murray Chisuse, the “African photographer, Blantyre, Nyasaland” (as he referred to his photographic works) was one of the first African photographers on the continent. A contemporary and friend of John Chilembwe, his photograph of Chilembwe is what present day Malawian banknotes use to depict Mr. Chilembwe.

3.   “M.M. Chisuse” lived at the Blantyre Scottish Presbyterian mission residence around 1880 and was educated under missionary David Clement Scott where he also worked as a ‘house boy’ from 1881. He traveled to Scotland in 1885 with Scott where he attended Stewart’s College in Edinburgh. Upon returning to Blantyre, he worked as a printer in the late 1870s. He published his Yao translation of part of Grimm’s Fairy Tales in the mission journal, Kalilo, in 1892. Five years later, he traveled to England where he received more training in printing works. He learned how to ride a bicycle while there (possibly one of the first Malawians to do so) and became familiar with the violin. By 1900 he began to become more heavily involved in photography in Nyasaland. He remained dependent on mission employment until he began to become involved with independent businessmen in the community when, in 1909, he became one of the founding members of the Natives’ Industrial Union. His photographic works became more prominent and his achievements are now a priceless treasure to present-day Malawi as so many historic figures from the early part of the 20th century were captured by his photographic skills. 

4.   Thom Bokwito, one of the Malawians sent to South Africa in 1861, was taken by Edward Young in 1875 to be a translator when negotiating issues concerning land between Likhubula and Nasolo that was to be used by Missionaries.

5.   Wokotan, the young brother of Chief Mponda, mediated the negotiation of Missionary team when they asked for permission for the Livingstonia site

6.   Yao historian [yohanna abdallah] in his book >the Yaos, stated very clearly how the Malawi’s celebrated distance traders [Yao] made contacts with the East Coast people, His book was the first attempt about Yao history, Even though printed first in Malawi in 1919, it’s not well known, because Kamuzu Bandas government kept it out of circulation for political reasons largely known to him and his cohorts, among others the need to make chewa the dominant tribe He [abdallah yohanna] is an authority on the Yao history.

7.   Honourable Yusuf Mwawa, Yaumi Mpaweni, Al hanji Shaibu Itimu, Wanja Mjaidi, lecture Hanif and his wife sister Rabiya (Polytechnic and MCA).

NOTE: People who have been mentioned in this article are just a few of scores of Yao people who contributed and are still contributing to the development of Malawi.

CONTRIBUTORS

1.   John McCracken (Society of Malawi Journal, Vol. 61, No. 2 2008)

2.   Innocent Bamusi Lanjesi 

3.   Alie Twaibu

4. Yusuf Jonas Msume

5.   Muham’amad Manie Carrenies Kgwedi

6.   Mustapha Kaunde

7.   George Kapito