The Yiwa represented an Alwari clan and belonged to the Qiemo Adrangar tribal group located on the planet of Ansion. In 22 BBY, Highborn Mazong held the position of their leader. While the Yiwa were a smaller Alwari clan, they still held significance. The Yiwa people were recognized for their distrust of outsiders, their propensity to become easily angered, and their constant nomadic lifestyle. They rode sadain creatures, also utilizing them as pack animals, and they maintained herds of domesticated, enclosed dorgum along with the large-humped awiquod.
During the mission to Ansion in 22 BBY, a quartet of Jedi—Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Luminara Unduli, together with Barriss Offee—gave performances during an evening celebration at a temporary Yiwa encampment situated at the edge of a reedy, shallow lake. The Jedi's performances greatly impressed the Yiwa, leading them to offer their assistance in the Jedi's quest to locate and negotiate with the Borokii overclan. This assistance was intended to avert Ansion's departure from the Galactic Republic.