Malawi is found in Central Africa.The country is divided int three regions; northern, southern and central regions. There are a number of tribes: in the North the main tribes are the Tumbuka (majority), Nkhonde, Ngoni, Tonga, Lambiya and Nyakyusa; in the centre are the chewa (majority)and Ngoni and in the south there are the yao (majority), sena, lomwe and mang'anja. The national language is Chichewa.
The rural land is divided into villages led by a traditional leader (chief). The cities are led by mayors.
The majority live in villages and are peasant farmers.
Our main food is called 'nsima' which is prepared from maize or cassava flour. We get our proteins from fish, meat, and legumes.
In the north the family line is parternal; the wife leaves her home to join her husband after a large sum of bride price is paid.In the centre and the south it is marternal; the husband has to build a home in the village of her wife.
There are a number of traditional dances for each occasion: harvest time, wedding, funeral, war, installation of a chief e.t.c. For example 'ingoma' dancers put on traditional war attire of leopard skin, a shield and a spear.
There is no spectacular national dress but our culture demands decency - respect for one's body. However the dressing trend among the youth is changing due to westernisation.
Th Malawian society values the family as the primary unit with the husband as the head. The bad side of this is that young girls are forced into marraige, making the percentage of illiteracy high among women.
Some of the elements of our culture which are being discouraged are inheriting the wife of a deceased wife, grabbing property from the widow of one's relative.
The main religions are presbyterian, roman catholic, anglican and pentecostal.
Malawians love community life; we laugh, cry, sing, dance tobether. We have a legacy of friendliness even to foreigners.
Visit our website on
www.malawi.gov.mw and www.maform.malawi.net
