Yao language

Yao
chiYao
Native to	Malawi, Mozambique
Ethnicity	Yao
Native speakers	3.7 million (2017–2020)[1]
Language family	Niger–Congo? Atlantic–Congo Volta-Congo Benue–Congo Bantoid Southern Bantoid Bantu Rufiji–Ruvuma Ruvuma Yao–Mwera Yao
Writing system	Latin
Official status
Recognised minority language in	Malawi
Language codes
ISO 639-2	yao
ISO 639-3	yao
Glottolog	yaoo1241
Guthrie code	P.21[2]
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Yao is a Bantu language of Malawi and Mozambique. In Malawi, the main dialect is Mangochi, mostly spoken around in Mangochi District. In Mozambique, the main dialects are Makale and Massaninga.

In Malawi, most Yao speakers live in the Southern Region near the southeast tip of Lake Malawi and bordering Mozambique to the east. In Mozambique, most speakers live in Niassa Province from the eastern shore of Lake Malawi (Lago Niassa) to the Lugenda River up to where it meets the Rovuma River. In Tanzania, most speakers live in the south Ruvuma, east of Lake Malawi along the Mozambican border.