Ndau

A language of Mozambique

Cindau, Ndzawu, Njao, Sofala, Southeast Shona

Autonym

Chindau

User Population

730,000 in Mozambique (2017). Total users in all countries: 1,530,000.

Location

Inhambane and Gaza provinces; Manica and Sofala provinces: south of Beira.

Language Maps

5* (Developing).

Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.15)

Dialects

Ndau (Chindau), Shanga (Changa, Chichanga, Chisenji, Chixanga, Cimashanga, Mashanga, Senji, Xanga), Danda (Cidanda, Cindanda, Ndanda, Vadanda, Watande), Dondo (Chibabava, Cidondo, Wadondo), Gova (Cigova). Divergent from Union Shona [sna]. Ndau (Gova) [sna] in Mozambique is more similar to Ndau, but in Zambia and Zimbabwe, Ndau is more similar to the Korekore dialect of Shona. Lexical similarity: 92% between Danda and Dondo dialects, 85% between Dondo and Shanga dialects; 74%–81% between Ndau dialects and Manyika [mxc].

Language Use

Used as L2 by Sena [seh].

Language Development

Bible: 1985–2009.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Ndau

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Other geographical or ethnic names: Dzika, Hijo, Buzi (Buji), Tomboji, and Mukwilo. Traditional religion, Christian.