Photograph captioned ‘Yao C.S.M. DCM’ and showing the Colour Sergeant Major (recipient of the Distinguished Conduct Medal), possibly 2nd Battalion, King’s African Rifles, standing in uniform with his rifle in front of trees, 1916-17 (c). 

The Yao peoples are various Bantu-speaking peoples inhabiting southernmost Tanzania, the region between the Rovuma and Lugenda rivers in Mozambique, and the southern part of Malaŵi.

One of 27 photographs collected by Maj William Dickinson, relating to the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, King’s African Rifles, 1914-17 (c).
Associated with World War One, East Africa (1914-1918).