ART AND CULTURE
Malawi’s greatest asset is its people. They are wonderfully friendly and warmly welcoming. All visitors are met with smiles and a truly genuine and long-lasting welcome. With a population of close to 22 million, Malawi is one of the more densely populated countries of this part of Africa. Most of the population is rural, living largely in fascinating traditional villages.
Hospitality, family, and community solidarity all form strong pillars of Malawian culture and customs, often expressed through rites of passage, traditional dances and village ceremonies. Malawians place great value on welcoming visitors, fostering harmony, and strengthening social ties.
Chewa, Nyanja, Lomwe, Yao, Tumbuka, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, and the Lambya/Nyiha are the major ethic groups and many of today’s Malawians are descendants of the Bantu people who moved across Africa and into Malawi for hundreds of years up to the fifteenth century.
There is a rich cultural mix in Malawi with the Chewa tribe being the most numerous at 34%, the Lomwe (19%), Yao (13%), Ngoni (10%) and Tumbuka (9%) according to 2018 census. Each tribe has contributed to the modern Malawi scene, whether it be in dress or dance or language.
Masks are commonly used in various dances and ceremonies and these are usually tribe-specific, the best known being the Gule Wamkulu, performed by the Nyau of the Chewa. Traditional (African) doctors still attract some people and the two main ‘modern’ religions, Christianity and Islam, frequently exhibit a continuing adherence to traditional beliefs.
Malawians are known for their artistic skill and creativity when it comes to handcrafts. A great variety of items can be found which display traditional skills handed down through the generations and also new techniques.
Cultural exhibitions are displayed throughout the country at different times of the year and can be privately arranged for tourists to enjoy the local lifestyles during tours.
Trip duration: 7-10 Days.