Malawi

The Block

Three fishermen pole their dugout canoe through the gentle waters of Lake Malaŵi in this picturesque scene reproduced from a painting. Sections of a traditional, tie-dyed cotton shirt donated by Neps Ng’ong’ola, were cut and carefully pieced together to create a typical Malaŵian fishing scene. The appliqué work was designed based on a painting supplied by Henry R. Chirwa, Deputy High Commissioner for Malawi in Ottawa.

Fishing, a key activity in Malaŵian daily life, has become both an important industry in the country and a primary source of food for many who live off the lake. The rugged beauty of the mountains, which attracts thousands of visitors each year and contributes immensely to the tourist economy, is represented in the background. A heart-shaped sun, symbolic of Malaŵi’s nickname ‘the warm heart of Africa,’ rises over the peaks. Heavy chain-stitch embroidery, typical of the needlework often decorating Malaŵian shirt collars, creates a circular frame to complete the scene.

Cultural Profile

Malaŵi (formerly the British protectorate of Nyasaland) is a small, land-locked country in south-eastern Africa. Its name, derived from the Malaŵi kingdom established during the sixteenth century means ‘flaming water’, perhaps named after the reflections on the lake. In 1859, Scottish missionary David Livingstone named this body of water ‘Lake Nyasa,’ although it is also known as Lake Malaŵi. The lake, located in the Great Rift Valley, is the third largest in Africa and occupies nearly one-third of the nation’s geography. It is also home to more than 500 species of fresh water tropical fish, one of the highest diversities on the planet. Many are exported to aquariums around the world.

The main ethnic groups are the northern Tumbuka, Ngoni and Tonga, and the central and southern Chewa, Yao, Nguru and Nyanja. English and Chichewa are the official languages, although each tribe has an individual tongue or dialect. Malaŵians are a predominately rural people to whom courtesy, and friendliness are second nature. They have a reputation for their warm hospitality and are proud of their mosaic of cultural practices. One of the most distinguishing features of the country’s culture is the variety of traditional songs and dances, such as the ingoma, gule wa mkulu, chimtali and visekese, in which drums are the dominant instrument. Other instruments include maseche (rattles and shakers), the hand-held ulimba (made from gourds) and the mambilira (similar to a xylophone). Gospel music, jazz, rhythm and blues and kwasa kwasas are also very important. There is also a strong oral tradition where historical storytellers are revered.

Malaŵians are skilled craftsmen who produce beautiful goods. Carving is a highly developed art from elegant ebony, wood and soapstone sculptures, to carved wooden masks, and the sought-after, hand-carved traditional ‘chief’s chairs. Cane work, tea trays, table mats and beach hats woven from vividly dyed raffia, floor mats made from sisal, palm and maize leaves are other popular handcrafts. Most tribes typically have their own distinctive arts and crafts that serve as identifying factors.

Fibre arts have a long history in Malawi. Bark cloth was once the staple fabric for clothing, along with leather obtained from local animals. Today most people wear the colourful cottons known as African prints. Malaŵi is one of the major cotton producers in the region and known for its high quality cotton fabrics. The chitenge prints are particularly popular. These 1 m x 2 m prints are used by women to make wraparound skirts. Their prints vary from colourful patterns to specially made prints for political parties, important national events or religious celebrations.

Many Malaŵians came to Canada to further their education or because of political or economic reasons. Most settled in Ontario where they have established organizations such as Toronto’s Malaŵi Cultural Group. They have influenced many areas of Canadian life, including clothing, cuisine and music.

Sponsor: Nancy Warwick, in memoriam Helen & Clinden Warwick