Mawes Aas'e is an Omotic-Mao language of western Ethiopia, spoken primarily in Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State (and in the north-west of Oromiya Regional State) in and around the town of Bambassi and particularly in Mus'a Mado. The language is also spoken by a small population living in the Diddesa Valley, 300km to the east, near Dimt'u in Oromia Regional State (Eastern Wellega Zone). The language is also known by the names Northern Mao, Bambassi, and Bambassi-Diddesa Mao. The name Mawes Aas'e is composed of the following: màw-és ꜜaːts'-è Mao-person tooth-TV. The noun 'tooth' is a metaphor for language (just as 'tongue' and 'mouth' are in many other languages). The map shows approximate locations of the four Omotic Mao languages: Mawes Aas'e (Northern Mao), Seze (Seeze), Hozo (Hoozo), and Ganza.
The Mawes Aas'e Documentation and Description Project began in 2007 and is still ongoing. This website is currently under construction and is planned to be a repository of data (texts, lexical data, syntax), literacy materials developed in concert with the Maweswole community, and publications. The intent is to provide open access to Mawes Aas'e materials in a centralized location for the Mao community as well as scholars around the world.
If you have questions or comments, you are welcome to contact Dr. Michael Ahland.
