Ndau | Ethnologue

A language of Mozambique

ISO 639: ndc
Alternate Names: Cindau, Ndzawu, Njao, Sofala, Southeast Shona
Autonym: Chindau
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 Status: 5* (Developing).
Classification: 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.

Zimbabwe

Location: Manicaland province: Melsetter area south of Umtali; Masvingo province: Bikita district.
Dialects: Changa (Chichanga, Chixanga, Shanga), Garwe, Tonga (Abatonga, Atonga, Batoka, Batonga, Watonga).
Language Status: 5 (Developing)
Other Comments: Traditional religion, Christian.

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