MALAWI
(muh-LAH-we)
(muh-LAH-we)
Malawi is a narrow strip of a country with wooded mountains and scenic waterfalls. Most of the eastern side is in or on Lake Nyasa. The country’s name was Nyasaland when it was a British protectorate.
The people are black Africans of Chewa, Lomwe, Nyanja, Yao, and Ngoni tribes, which are matriarchal (family lines focus on the mother). Most of the workforce are farmers, raising tea, coffee, maize, rice, groundnuts, and tobacco. Government officials and an elite group have taken over much of the land, so small-scale farmers have trouble making ends meet. Fishing in Lake Nyasa is profitable. Some workers must leave the country to find jobs in South African mines.
With few paved roads, the best way to get around Malawi is on lake steamers. Women and men must be careful what they wear, since a Dress Act was passed in 1973. Malawi depends greatly on foreign aid, needs schools, and must stay on the best side of its neighbors in order to export anything.
THE LAND
Location: in southeast Africa, landlocked by Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique.Terrain: savanna, tropical lakeside lowlands; Lake Nyasa lies in the Great Rift Valley.
Climate: rainy November to March; Lilongwe temperatures range 60–73° F.
Area: 45,747 square miles (ranks 98th of 193 countries)
Highest point: 9,849 feet (Mount Mlanje Sapitwa)
Lowest point: 121 feet (junction of Shire River and Mozambique boundary)
Greatest distances: north-south: 520 miles; east-west: 100 miles
Coastline: 0 miles
Wildlife: lion, rhinoceros, zebra, antelope, elephant, hippopotamus, catfish, tilapia
Plants and trees: bark cloth tree, acacia, cedar
THE PEOPLE
People in Malawi are called: MalawiansPopulation (2007): 13,603,181 (ranks 65th of 193 countries)
Ethnic Groups:
| Maravi |
58%
|
| Lomwe |
18%
|
| Yao |
13%
|
| Ngoni |
7%
|
| other |
4%
|
Religion:
| Protestant |
55%
|
| Roman Catholic |
20%
|
| Muslim |
20%
|
| indigenous beliefs |
5%
|
Population growth rate: 2.4%
Population density: 297 persons per square mile
Largest cities (with population):
Blantyre (778,800)
Lilongwe (744,400)
Mzuzu (150,100)
Zomba (113,100)
Population living in cities: 14%
Life expectancy: 43.0 years
Languages spoken: English (official); Chichewa (official)
Education: school is required for children of ages 6 to 14
Literacy: 63% persons age 15 and over can read and write
Popular foods: nsima (less expensive, more filling alternative to rice); tea, dried or fresh fish, beef, chicken, goat, red beans, peanut flour, mangoes, tangerines, avocados, tomatoes
Sports: soccer
Music: reggae, drums
Holidays:
| Jan 15 | Chilembwe Day |
| Mar 3 | Martyrs' Day (honors those who fought for independence in 1963) |
| May 14 | Kamuzu Day |
| Jul 6 | Independence Day |
| Dec 26 | Boxing Day |
Famous Malawians:
Hastings Kamuzu Banda (1906-97) - physician, U.S.-educated, first president
Jeffrey Jambo (1962- ) - wood carver
Berlings Kaunda - University of Malawi professor and visual artist
Jeffrey Jambo (1962- ) - wood carver
Berlings Kaunda - University of Malawi professor and visual artist
HISTORY
Bantu-speakers migrated to Malawi at the beginning of the Christian Era. These included the Ngoni and the Yao (who traded slaves to the Arabs). In the AD 1500s the Malawi Kingdom was established.
British missionary David Livingstone explored Malawi in 1859 and encouraged others to follow. Scottish churches and businesses settled here in the late 19th century, and hoped to influence the ending of the slave trade. Later in the 1800s, the British negotiated with tribal chiefs west of Lake Nyasa, and proclaimed Malawi a British protectorate, part of a federation with Northern and Southern Rhodesia.
Dr. Hastings Banda, who had been in the U.S. and Great Britain for 40 years, was recalled by the people to lead an independence movement. Independence was gained in 1964, but Banda was a one-party president who could not tolerate criticism. Many people were killed or jailed. Finally in 1992 opposition parties were legalized and free elections were held in 1994. A new constitution followed in 1995.
Campaigns against corruption, population growth and AIDS have been slow to achieve results.
THE ECONOMY
Money: Malawian kwacha (MWK); MWK 150.00 = US$1 (2010)Gross Domestic Product (value of all good and services, 2006): us$ 8.3 billion, or us$ 600 per person (ranks 190th of 193 countries)
Inflation rate (2006): 13.9%
Industries: tea, tobacco, sugar, sawmill products, cement
Crops: tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava, sorghum
Livestock: sheep, goats, cattle, hogs, poultry
Natural resources: limestone, uranium, coal, bauxite
Exports (2006): us$ 513.1 million
Imports (2006): us$ 767.9 million
Major trading partners: South Africa, Germany, Egypt, United States, Zambia, Zimbabwe
GOVERNMENT
Established: 1964Capital: Lilongwe
Type: multiparty democracy
Chief of state: Bingu wa Mutharika
Head of government: Bingu wa Mutharika
Legislature: 193-member National Assembly
Voting rights: all persons age 18 or older
National anthem: begins "O God, Bless Our Land of Malawi"
POINTS OF INTEREST
Nyika National Park is on a treeless plateau, making animal-sighting easier: zebra, eland, antelope, bushbuck, warthog. Visitors can walk (no roaming lions), fish, and camp.
Livingstonia, named for David Livingston, is a Scottish-Irish settlement with spectacular views.
Senga Bay resort area has had crocodiles removed for safe swimming and water sports.
Likoma Island is closer to Mozambique, but belongs to Malawi and is reached by ferry. The Anglican cathedral is there, along with baobab and mango trees, and sandy beaches.
The African Library Project in Malawi
