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Ndau

A language of Mozambique

ISO 639-3: ndc

Population	1,580,000 in Mozambique (2006). Population total all countries: 2,380,000.
Region	South central region, Sofala and Manica Province, south of Beira. Also in Zimbabwe.
Language map	Mozambique, reference number 24
Alternate names	Chindau, Ndzawu, Njao, Sofala, Southeast Shona
Dialects	Ndau (Cindau), Shanga (Cimashanga, Mashanga, Chichanga, Chixanga, Xanga, Changa, Senji, Chisenji), Danda (Cidanda, Ndanda, Cindanda, Vadanda, Watande), Dondo (Cidondo, Wadondo, Chibabava), Gova (Cigova). More similar to Manyika [mxc], and much more divergent from Union Shona [sna]. Danda and Ndanda may be the same language. Gova [sna] in Mozambique is more similar to Ndau, but in Zambia and Zimbabwe, Ndau is more similar to Korekore dialect of Shona [sna]. Lexical similarity: 92% between the Danda and Dondo dialects, 85% between the Dondo and Shanga dialects; 74%–81% between Ndau dialects and Manyika [mxc].
Classification	Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.10)
Language development	Bible: 1957.
Writing system	Latin script.
Comments	Other geographical or ethnic names: Dzika, Hijo, Buzi (Buji), Tomboji, Mukwilo. Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

Zimbabwe

Language name	Ndau
Population	800,000 in Zimbabwe (2000 Chebanne).
Region	South of Umtali, Melsetter area.
Language map	Zimbabwe
Alternate names	Chindau, Ndzawu, Njao, Sofala, Southeast Shona
Dialects	Changa (Chichanga, Chixanga, Shanga), Garwe, Tonga (Abatonga, Atonga, Batoka, Batonga, Watonga).
Language development	In the fall of 1985, the government introduced Ndau primers into schools in the Ndau area.
Comments	Traditional religion, Christian.

Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:

Academic Publications

GARDNER, William L., author. 2001. Consonant mutation in Shona languages.

GARDNER, William L., author. 2003. "Mutação consonantal nas línguas Shona."

Vernacular Publications

Ngano ya Jhuana, Bhuku ro Mujiji. 2009.