Ndau

NDC

developing

Alternate Names: Chindau, Ndzawu, Njao, Sofala, Southeast Shona

Dialects: Danda (Cidanda, Cindanda, Ndanda, Vadanda, Watande), Dondo (Chibabava, Cidondo, Wadondo), Gova (Cigova), Ndau (Cindau), Shanga (Changa, Chichanga, Chisenji, Chixanga, Cimashanga, Mashanga, Senji, Xanga). Divergent from Union Shona ,. Danda and Ndanda may be the same language. Ndau (Gova) , 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 ,.

Genealogy:

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

Demographics: 1,580,000 in Mozambique (2006). Population total all countries: 2,380,000.

Language Use: Used as L2 by Sena [seh].

Language Development: Bible: 1985–2009.

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: Mozambique

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