Dances of the Yao

The majority of dances fall around the initiation times for boys and girls while others are seen during religious festivals such as the syala.

The Amalilo is a large group dance involving both men and women usually seen during the end of unyago (initiation) periods.

The Beni is a popular dance involving men of all ages in which the dancers dress up like soldiers in homemade uniforms.

The Chamba is a secretive dance held during the second phase of msondo in which only women or girls who have gone through initiation can be present.

The Mawulidi is a celebratory dance held by female family members of a woman who has just had a child after a long time in which no children have been born to her.