ABOUT MALAWI



People

Malawi, popularly known as the warm heart of Africa because of the hospitality and friendliness of its citizens, and people of different tribal and racial backgrounds live together in peace and harmony. The main tribes include the Chewa, mainly found in the Central Malawi, the Tumbuka found in Northern Malawi and the Yao and Lomwe found in the Southern Malawi. There are also other groups such as the Tonga and Ngoni.

The main languages spoken are Chewa, which is lingua franca, Tumbuka and Yao. Though not widely spoken, at the northest part of Malawi in a district known as Chitipa, there are 23 dialects spoken by not more than 200,000. Some of these dialects include the Ndali, Nkhonde, Lambya, Sukwa, and Namwanga. 

There are many cultural practices which border around birth, adulthood, marriage, chieftainship, sickness and death. These practices are mainly shown in the manner of cloth and dance.

Gulewamkulu and Vimbuza were lined up as practices of world heritage by Unesco. Gulewamkulu is a Chewa dance performed by masked people, it is performed in various occasions such as initiation ceremonies, chief installations and funeral ceremonies. Now Gulewamkulu is perfomed many public functions including political rallies. Vimbuza is performance for the sick as an exorcism. Drums and songs are played while the sick dance. As Gulewamkulu, vimbuza now is performed in many public events.

Other cultural events common to this day are the Yao initiation and circumcision ceremonies and chief installations. The initiations take place in July and August where all Yao males of an average age of 10 are circumcised and left in camps in the bush for close to a month. After a month, the males are welcomed back to society with great celebrations.

Geography

Malawi has three main terrains: the Rift valley, the plains and highlands. On the rift valley lies Lake Malawi, which is the tenth largest inland lake in the world and third in Africa. It is a fresh water lake which is home for more than 400 species of fish, some of which are never found anywhere else. It is also home for various species of beautiful birds. Lake Malawi also is home for animals, such as hippopotamus and crocodiles.

Central Malawi, where the capital of Malawi, Lilongwe, is situated lies the expanse Lilongwe plain. And most tobacco and maize farming is done in this area.

Malawi’s three cities, Blantyre, Zomba and Mzuzu are found on the highlands. The highlands provide Malawi with places of spectacular sceneries and beauty such as mountains and National Parks. Mulanje (the third highest mountain in Africa), Zomba and Dedza. Nyika National Park is located in highlands.