Overall History of the Region of Malawi

Malawi is a country located on the continent of Africa whose size is comparable to Pennsylvania yet is home to approximately 17,377,468 people.[1]  The small, landlocked country is known for its beautiful lakes, especially Lake Malawi, which takes up nearly one third of the country.  Scottish explorer and missionary, David Livingstone, called it "the lake of the stars" due to "lights from the lanterns of the fishermen in Malawi on their boats, that resemble, from a distance, stars in the sky".[2]  Dotted with several national parks and wildlife reserves, Malawi's lush land, hills, mountains, forests, and dramatic river valleys make it a growing tourist destination.

Lake Malawi: Lake of the Stars
http://africageographic.com/blog/malawi-the-land-of-the-lake/

Malawi, as well as most of Africa, has a history that has been retold through story telling rather than documents.  Songs and tales have been passed down through generations, helping Malawians learn cultural values and social behaviors, as well as how to communicate and behave in society.[3]  Storytelling is a tradition that is still observed today and is a way to engage members of a family or audience in Malawian history.  By listening to a recording of one of these stories, which is called, "The Orphan", one is able to identify with the ancient practice.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXGmlFMHUm4.[4]

Additionally, pictographs, such as those found in the Chongoni Rock Art Area of Dezda, tell stories by "BaTwa hunter-gatherers who inhabited the area from the late Stone Age".[5]  Many of the rock paintings that have been revealed tie in with themes involving women and, in the Chewa society, ceremonies on Chongono Rock Art are still part an active part of the culture.  

Chongoni Rock Art
http://www.malawitourism.com/pages/attractions/the_attraction.asp?AttractionsID=22

Historically, the Maravi Empire, which lasted for over two centuries, was established by the Bantu Chewa people in the 16th century.[6] Malawi is a nation that has experienced continual change throughout its history. In early colonial times, the territory was ruled by the British and was known as British Central Africa.  In 1907 the British Central Africa Protectorate changed the name of the country to Nyasaland but once it gained its independence from Britain on July 6, 1964, it was renamed Malawi.[7]  Although the small country underwent name and leadership changes, its people held tight to their traditions and culture.  Malawi was introduced to a new constitution in 1960 which allowed the direct election of Africans to the Legislative Council. Hastings Banda was elected Prime Minister in 1963 and and Malawi officially joined the United Nations in 1964, soon joining the Commonwealth in 1966.  When Parliament announced Banda as "Life President of the Republic", the Malawi Congress Party was formed.[8]  This one-party form of government remained until 1994 when the need for political change became an issue.  Malawi finally changed to a multi-party style of government which has remained in place to this day. 

Malawi Constitution
http://africanarguments.org/2012/11/08/malawi-reforming-constitution-and-law-by-hannah-gibson-africa-research-institute/

Portuguese soldiers were among the first non-Africans to venture into Malawi due to trade interests.[9]  Once Arabs and Swahili traders moved in, however, the trade of ivory, gold, and later slaves became extensive.  Additionally, with the introduction of rice crops came the introduction of Islam.[10]  Malawi's rich, natural resources have helped the country maintain trade relations with other countries within Africa, as well as Canada and Belgium.  Coal, beans, sorghum, and maize have been productive cash crops throughout Malawi's history, but early on, major trade resources were coffee, tea, and tobacco.[11]  

David Livingstone's entry into the region in 1859 [12] ushered in Christianity and with it a new sense of freedom for many Malawians.  Livingstone, who was horrified by the fact that annually 19,000 men, women, and children were being captured and sold as slaves, called this situation the "open sore of Africa".[13]  Livingstone's love for the Lake Malawi region and his influence led Malawi into becoming a more educated country than its neighbors.[14]  The freedom Malawians began to experience translated into the desire for liberation from British rule and in January 1915, a Millenarian pastor, John Chilembwe, "led an unsuccessful revolt known as the Chilembwe Uprising against British Rule".[15]  Although the revolt was unsuccessful, it fueled the nation's fire for freedom and, in fact, Malawi saw many uprisings in the years leading up to 1967. 

Although Malawi has experienced ongoing issues with unrest, liberty, and corrupt government throughout its history, its diverse religious history has remained.  Christianity is the most popular religion with Islam following a not so distant second[16], however, many Malawians hold tight to their traditional beliefs.  The Malawian secret society, the Gule Wamkulu, for instance, performs rites and rituals tied to ancient religious practices.  The history and myths of the Gule Wamkulu that are encompassed by the dances were present as far back as the "Great Chewa Empire of the 17th century".[17]  The Gule Wamkulu have long held high positions granted by the chief of the tribe who is the only person who knows their true identity.  Because they are believed to be in an animal-type state when they are in full dress, passersby do not interact with them.  The dread of being pulled into one of their ceremonies supersedes curiosity so "if one has the misfortune of passing a Gule on the road, traditional behavior consists of dropping a few coins for the Gule- never handing them the money directly for fear they will grab you and take you to the cemetery for ritual purposes.  Generally, it is best to avoid Gule in informal situations.  In their animal or ancestral state, they are unpredictable."[18]

Encounter with Gule Wamkulu on the Road
http://www.flickr.com/photos/njanja2009/5089512292/

Although the indigenous beliefs of those who participate in the rituals are prevalent, Christianity simultaneously plays a large part in the lives of Malawians.  History shows Christian missionaries have attempted to stamp out the ancient beliefs but those who continue to embrace both do so by "adopting some aspects of Christianity".[19]

Although Malawi strives to remain a self-sufficient country and "a government 2013 annual economic report shows that overall external trade indicates that exports and imports both increased in 2012",[20] it persists in being unsuccessful in meeting the expectations of Malawian citizens.  Government corruption and scandal has created turmoil and unrest in the nation causing an uprise in citizens becoming more vocal in their "demands for respect for constitutions and active participation in constitutional change".[21]

___________________________________________

1. CIA World Factbook, "Malawi", https://cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mi.html, ¶ 12.

2. Ten Facts About, ”10 Fun Facts about Malawi", Ten Facts About, accessed December 12, 2014, http://www.10-facts-about.com/Malawi/id/872, ¶ 3.

3. Elisabeth Hangartner-Everts, "Tradition of African Story Telling: Oral Literature in the Homes and Schools (Pre-School/Kindergarten) of Northern Malawi", (2008), accessed December 11, 2014, http://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/cehs_students/3/, p. 9-10, ¶ 4, and 1. 

4. Youtube.com, "An Orphan / Mwana Wamasiye", YouTube.com, accessed December 12, 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXGmlFMHUm4.
5. Malawi Tourism Guide, "Chongoni Rock Art", Malawi Tourism Guide, accessed December 12, 2014, http://www.malawitourism.com/pages/attractions/the_attraction.asp?AttractionsID=22, ¶ 1.

6. Wikipedia, “Maravi”, Wikipedia, last modified May 19, 2014, accessed December 9, 2014, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maravi, ¶ 1.

7. Wikipedia, "History of Malawi", Wikipedia, last modified November 3, 2014, accessed December 10, 2014, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Malawi, ¶ 1.

8. WawaMalawi, "Malawi History", WaWaMalawi, accessed December 12, 2014, http://www.wawamalawi.com/history.html, ¶ 5, and 6.   

9. "History of Malawi", ¶ 5.

10. World Guides, "Malawi's History, Facts, and Timeline", World-Guides.com, last updated November 14, 2014, accessed December 11, 2014, http://www.world-guides.com/africa/south-east-africa/malawi/malawi_history.html, ¶ 3.

11. Wikipedia, "Agriculture in Malawi", Wikipedia, last modified September 29, 2014,  accessed December 12, 2014, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture_in_Malawi, ¶ 1.

12. Jerry Cutter, "Malawi Early History," (1991), accessed December 11, 2014, http://www.newtestamentchurch.org/OPA/Articles/1991/06/OPA19910605.htm, ¶ 3.

13. Desmond Dudwa Phiri, "Why We Must Remember David Livingstone", http://mwnation.com/must-remember-david-livingstone/, ¶ 4. 

14. Ibid, ¶ 7.

15. "History of Malawi", British Rule section ¶ 1. 

16. CIA World Factbook, "Malawi", ¶ 12.

17. Unesco, “Gule Wamkulu”, Unesco, accessed December 11, 2014, http://www.unesco.org/culture/intangible-heritage/22afr_uk.htm, ¶ 3.

18. Ibid.

19. Ibid.

20. Dumbani Mzale, "Malawi Tobacco Exports Valued at $650m in 2012", mwnation.com, (August 29, 2013), accessed December 12, 2014, http://mwnation.com/malawi-tobacco-exports-valued-650m-2012/, ¶ 1.

21. Hannah Gibson, "Malawi: Constitutional and Law Reform Should Continue Under Banda", (November 8, 2012), accessed December 12, 2014, http://africanarguments.org/2012/11/08/malawi-reforming-constitution-and-law-by-hannah-gibson-africa-research-institute/, ¶ 8.

Changes in Political and National Boundaries

Precolonial Malawi historical records are obscure as the culture relied mainly on orally told stories.  Because of this, most of Malawi's early history "remains European centered".[1]  Colonial rule began in 1891 establishing its authority over Malawians thereby changing its boundaries and organization as a whole.[2]  African reactions were mixed, with some in Malawi resisting this imposed control, and some tribes accepting peacefully while welcoming the intrusion upon the nation.[3]  This imposed rule saw an integration of British rule with traditional African cultures.  In fact, "although Malawi never attracted a significant European settler population"[4], land ownership and property rights amounted to fifteen percent of the Protectorate's area.  This overspill across boundaries in Malawi triggered the need for labor.  Taxing Africans induced them to seek higher paying jobs.  This search often led to "considerable African migration abroad" which affected social systems and the "growth of national sentiment and activity".[5]  

Having achieved full independence from the British commonwealth in 1964, Malawi's economy experienced healthy growth for several years impacting the nation's stability in positive ways including the nation's morale overall without much resistance to cultural boundaries.  In the late 1970s and during the next fifteen years, however, "Malawi suffered from economic shocks" due to droughts, oil prices, and international borrowing.[6]

National Flag of Malawi
The rising sun represents the dawn of hope and freedom for the continent of Africa (when the flag was created, more countries in Africa were gaining independence from European rule). The black represents the indigenous people of the continent, the red symbolizes the blood of their struggle, and the green represents nature.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Malawi

Holding its first post-independence election in 1961, Malawi remained under the "one-party rule of the Malawi Congress Party until 1994".[7]  After a new constitution was adopted in 1995, "a presidential form of government with an independent legislature and judiciary"[8] was formed, which resulted in a "concentration of power".[8]  Although an introduction to democracy and a multi-party system has aroused "high expectations from the people"[9] of Malawi, its present day political system is failing at meeting them.  According to Patel, "In recent years, all the parties have lost credibility- for reasons ranging from shifting loyalties and allegiances to an almost total disregard for ideology and values".[10]  

Day to day life for Malawians is a continuing struggle due to the corruption in the country's government.  Anti-government protests in 2011 led to British cessation of aid because of Malawi's mismanaging "the economy and failing to uphold human rights"[11] and in January 2014 Malawi experienced the Cashgate affair, "the country's biggest corruption scandal"[12] in history.  

__________________________________________________
1. Roger K. Tangri, "Political Change in Colonial Malawi: A Bibliographical Essay," African Studies Bulletin 11, no. 3 (December 1968): 270, accessed December 2, 2014, http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/stable/523095?seq=2, ¶ 1.
2. Ibid, ¶ 3.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid, 271, ¶ 3.
5. Ibid, 272, ¶ 1.
6. Nandini Patel, "Political Parties: Development and Change in Malawi", Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa, no. 21 (2005): 8, ¶ 4,  accessed December 3, 2014, http://dspace.africaportal.org/jspui/bitstream/123456789/30345/1/rr21.pdf?1.
7. Ibid, xii, ¶ 3.
8. Ibid, 19, ¶ 1.
9. Ibid, 62, ¶ 1.
10. Ibid.
11. BBC News Africa, "Malawi Profile", BBC News Africa, (June 1, 2014), accessed December 3, 2014, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13881367, ¶ 52.
12. Ibid, ¶ 58.

Mission Work in Malawi

Essentially, mission work in Malawi began with Scottish explorer David Livingstone's journey into the interior of Africa as a medical missionary.  Livingstone sought to proselytize indigenous African groups while seeking to end the slave trade that was rampant in Africa and traveled across much of Africa.[1]  

The Journeys of Livingstone in Africa between 1851 and 1873
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Map_livingstone_travels_africa.jpg

Livingstone first arrived at Lake Malawi in 1859 on an expedition and advocated the spread of Christianity in order to "counteract slave trade activities".[2]  Many important Christian missionaries eventually followed along the slave trade routes having an impact upon future generations of missionaries, including those today.

Traditional denominations such as The Church of England, Presbyterians, and Roman Catholics followed Livingstone moving in to the newly discovered Lake Malawi area continued to spread the message of the Gospel.[3]  Smaller Christian groups at the time such as "Baptists, Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the churches of Christ" were not looked upon as favorably yet continued to make their mark.[4]

While Christianity has had the largest effect on Malawi with 79.9% proclaiming Christianity as its religion,[5] Islam holds a slighter yet firm position, as well.  Sunni Islam, which is the largest branch of Islam[6] arrived with the "Arab and Swahili traders who traded in ivory, gold, and later on slaves beginning in the 16th century".[7]  Islam has had a substantial impact on Malawi becoming the second most popular religion at 12.8%[8] and, in fact, every major city in Malawi is now the home of a mosque.[9]  This may be due to the fact that part of Islam's attraction lies in that it is not all that different than many of the indigenous religions of Africa.  Islam did not interfere with local or native customs such as polygamy[10] so it was natural that the leniency in certain areas of the religion would be parallel to what the Malawians were already accustomed.

Mosque in Zomba, Malawi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Zomba_Mosque_1.jpg

_________________________________________________
1 Jerry Cutter, "Malawi Early History," (1991), accessed November 27, 2014,       http://www.newtestamentchurch.org/OPA/Articles/1991/06/OPA19910605.htm, ¶ 3.
2 World Heritage Center, "Malawi Slave Routes and Dr. David Livingstone Trail", accessed November 28, 2014, http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5603/, ¶ 13.
3 Ibid, ¶ 5.
4 Ibid, ¶ 6. 
5 CIA World Factbook, "Malawi," accessed November 28, 2014, http://www.ciaworldfactbook.us/africa/malawi.html, ¶ 12.
6 Wikipedia, "Sunni Islam," accessed November 28, 2014, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunni_Islam, ¶ 1, last updated November 19, 2014. 
7 Wikipedia, "Islam in Malawi," accessed November 28, 2014, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Malawi, ¶ 1, last updated June 18, 2014.
8 "Malawi", ¶ 12. 
9 "Islam in Malawi", ¶ 1.
10 Augstine Msiska, "The Spread of Islam in Malawi and its Impact on Yao Rites of Passage, 1870-1960," The Society of Malawi Journal 48, no. 1 (1995): 62, accessed November 28, 2014, http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/stable/29778728?seq=14, ¶ 1.

Malawi's Early Contact with Outside Cultures

In the early 1600s, Portuguese soldiers and traders found their way into Malawi.  A number of tribes had "united to form a kingdom under one main ruler" known as the Maravi Empire.[1]  This empire, which included the Chewa people of Malawi, traded "ivory, iron, and slaves with the Portuguese and Arabs" which was enhanced due to the "common language spoken throughout the Maravi Empire".[2]  This relationship between the Portuguese and Malawi was based on trade and proved a successful venture until trade between individual tribesmen and the Portuguese weakened, eventually destroying the kingdom in 1700.[3]  Portugal's main reason for its push into Malawi was because of trade and most of the slaves that were traded were "sent mainly to work on Portuguese plantations in Mozambique or to Brazil".[4]

In the 19th century, the Ayao people, who had been successfully trading ivory and slaves with the Arabs, moved from Mozambique into Malawi. The founding of Arab trading posts along Lake Malawi created a shift in trade "from the Portuguese in Mozambique to the Arabs of Zanzibar".[5]  In 1870 rice became a "major crop" due to the Arabs' introduction. [6]  In addition to slave trade and agriculture, Malawi saw a major conversion from animism to Islam due to the Arabs' influence.

Malawi's next noteworthy association with the west was missionary, David Livingstone in 1859.  Livingstone was a Victorian explorer hailing from Scotland and well known as "an important crusader against slavery, publicising its horrors back in Britain".[7]  Additionally, Livingstone played an important part in bringing Christianity to Malawi spurring the planting of Anglican and Presbyterian churches in the late 1860s and 1870s. 

David Livingstone, "Africa's First Freedom Fighter"
http://www.theguardian.com/uk/scotland-blog/2013/mar/19/scotland-malawi-davidlivingstone

These European and Middle Eastern contacts influenced Malawi's culture through trade and religion.  While the slave trade increased Malawi's economy such as the wealth amassed by the Ayao as well as those with whom they traded,[8] slavery was a detriment to African culture and society.  Although some parts of Malawi have continued to keep their indigenous beliefs, the mark these influences made in the way of Christianity and Islam has been impactful.    


__________________________________________________________________
1 World Guides, "Malawi's History, Facts, and Timeline", World-Guides.com, last updated November 14, 2014, accessed November 18, 2014, http://www.world-guides.com/africa/south-east-africa/malawi/malawi_history.html, ¶ 3. 
2 Wikipedia, "History of Malawi", wikipedia.com, last updated November 3, 2014, accessed November 19, 2014, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Malawi, ¶ 5. 
3 World Guides, ¶ 3.
4 Wikipedia, ¶ 6. 
5 Ibid, ¶ 9.
6 Ibid, ¶ 8.
7 Our Africa, "History and Politics", Our-Africa.com, accessed November 19, 2014, http://www.our-africa.org/malawi/history-politics, ¶ 4.
8 Wikipedia, ¶ 8.

Malawi's Natural Resources

From limestone to uranium, from bauxite to coal, Malawi is rich with natural resources.  Its main export in the 19th century was ivory and, in fact, one of the main reasons for slavery during this time was to "provide human porterage for the ivory being conveyed from the interior to the coast".[1]  As ivory exports began to wane, coffee became a major trade resource.  It lasted a short while, only from 1891 to 1904 due to saturation in coffee trade (namely, Brazil), but during that period Malawi experienced high trade increase.[2]

With the demise of the coffee industry, farmers turned to tobacco.  This crop resulted in productive trade within Africa, including South Africa.  It also developed trade routes with Portugal and the United Kingdom.[3]

The main cash crops for Malawi over the last century have been "tobacco, tea, cotton, groundnuts, sugar, and coffee".[4]  Its arable land has been its greatest treasure allowing agriculture to experience highs and lows over the centuries.  Malawi has been considered the "world's most maize-dependent country, except for Zambia"[5] throughout the 20th century.

Women farmers celebrate a bumper maize crop in 2007
un.org

Although Malawi is a source of coal, it was unexploited during colonial times, therefore, early on, Malawians turned to farming rice, beans, sorghum, and of course, maize.[6]  Over time, the state of arable land has gone through many changes.  Leading up to the period of 1949, the nation experienced famine spurring a government plan to export maize thus creating a cash crop exporting 38,000 tons in 1955.[7]  This surplus in maize export spanned approximately thirty years.  Unfortunately, the high price of fertilizer coupled with inconsistent rainfall has continued to impede the ability for farmers to grow large crops.[8]  After the 2007 maize bumper crop, Malawi was able to sell "more maize to the World Food Program of the United Nations than any other southern Africa country and exported hundreds of thousands of tons of corn to Zimbabwe".[9]

Although there continues to be a rise in population and debt, the past two years have seen tobacco once again become a major economy boosting export for Malawi.[10]  Tobacco crops are contributing about "60 percent of Malawi's total export earnings...directly employing 12 percent of the population and also contributing 13 percent of gross domestic product".[11]

Malawi tobacco farmer surveying his crop
http://mwnation.com/malawi-tobacco-exports-valued-650m-2012/

Currently, Malawi's biggest trade partners are "Canada, South Africa, and Belgium" and "a government 2013 annual economic report shows that overall external trade indicates that exports and imports both increased in 2012".[12]


__________________________________________
1 C. A. Baker, "Nyasaland, The History of its Export Trade," The Nyasaland Journal 15, no. 1 (January, 1962): 9, ¶ 3, accessed November 13, 2014, http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/stable/29545910:seq=3&uid=3739920&uid=2133&uid=2134&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=21104531124031.
2 Ibid, 12, ¶ 2.
3 Ibid, 15, ¶ 2.
4 Wikipedia, "Agriculture in Malawi," accessed November 12, 2014, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture_in_Malawi, ¶ 1.
5 Ibid, ¶ 16.
6 Ibid, ¶ 2.
7 Ibid, ¶ 9.
8 Ibid, ¶ 37.
9 Ibid, ¶ 43.
10 Dumbani Mzale, "Malawi Tobacco Exports Valued at $650m in 2012," mwnation.com, (August 29, 2013), accessed November 13, 2014, http://mwnation.com/malawi-tobacco-exports-valued-650m-2012/, ¶ 1.
11 Ibid, ¶ 4.
12 Ibid, ¶ 10.

Religions in Malawi

Although Malawi is home to Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and traditional native religions, "Christianity is the majority religion".[1] 
  

Major religions distributed in Africa
http://www.thefullwiki.org/Religion_in_Africa

Missionary, David Livingstone, ushered in Christianity in the 1800's and it quickly spread, giving rise to Protestant, Catholic, Baptist, and Presbyterian, and Jehovah's Witness denominations.[2]  While Christian influence has been positive and well-received, the traditional, indigenous beliefs and values have begun to slowly disappear due to the large scale conversion over the centuries.[3] 

Islam, "the second most prominent religion in Malawi"[4], makes up approximately twenty percent of the population.  Arab slave traders brought the religion in the 1800's, first converting tribes who lived along Lake Malawi.  The rise of Islam may have initially been for reasons of monetary growth or expansion of power [5] but as the centuries have passed, it continues to hold a large place in Malawian culture.  

Although Christians and Muslims live, for the most part, harmoniously, tensions can rise during political situations.  Because "political affiliation, religious persuasion, and tribal identity are closely bound together in Malawi"[6] conflict sometimes breaks out due to differences in beliefs. 

The traditional indigenous religions are present in approximately five percent of Malawi's population and although they are not given too much notoriety, African doctor's medicines can still be found in the markets.  Additionally, secret societies such as Gule Wamkulu dancers continue ancient practices connected to religious beliefs and customs such as dances and initiations which take place in taboo locations such as cemeteries.[7] 

Gule Wamkulu in traditional dress

http://www.thetravelword.com/2010/07/22/malawi-opens-the-warm-heart-of-africa-to-whl-travel/

The Gule Wamkulu are a mysterious group living alone and in anonymity.  The chief of the tribe, the only person who is privy to their identity, appoints them in order to "drive away evil spirits from the village".[8]  Dressed in their full costumes, the Gule are avoided as much as possible for fear of being taken for one of their rituals.  They are considered to be in an "animal state and are not to be approached".[9]  The myths surrounding the rituals and dances performed by the Gule Wamkulu date back to the "Great Chewa Empire of the 17th century"[10] and continue to intermingle between Christianity and these ancient societies.

Christianity, although it has had a major impact across Malawi by quickly became the major religion of the nation, is often coupled with indigenous religions such as Gule Wamkulu. Christian missionaries worked to suppress these ancient religions and practices but the people who practice it and take part in it have continued to survive by "adopting some aspects of Christianity" while staying true to their ancient heritage.[11]   

______________________________________________

1 Religion, Friends of Malawi, accessed November 4, 2014, http://www.thetravelworld.com/2010/07/22/malawi-opens-the-warm-heart-of-africa-to-whl-travel/, ¶ 1. 
2 Ibid, ¶ 2.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid, ¶ 4.
5 Msiska, Augstine, W.C. "The Spread of Islam in Malawi and its Impact on Yao Rites of Passage, 1870-1960." The Society of Malawi Journal 48, no. 1 (1995): 49-86. Accessed November 5, 2014. http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/stable/29778728?seq=14. 
6 Religion, ¶ 5.
7 Ibid, ¶ 6.
8 Gule Wamkulu, The Malawi Project, accessed November 5, 2014, http://malawiproject.org/about-malawi/history/gule-wamkulu/, ¶ 1. 
9 Watch the Gule Wamkulu, Accommodation Direct, accessed November 5, 2014, http://www.malawi-direct.com/activity/watch-the-gule-wamkulu, ¶ 3.
10 Gule Wamkulu, Third Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, accessed November 5, 2014, http://www.unesco.org/culture/intangible-heritage/22afr_uk.htm, ¶ 3. 
11 Ibid.

Art and Storytelling in Malawi Culture

The tradition of story telling can be found in Malawi's history dating centuries back.   The Chongoni Rock in southeastern Malawi, for instance, holds stories from the past one thousand years that depict "women's initiation, rain-making ceremonies, and funerary rites" which are all present day traditions in the Chewa society of Malawi.[1]

https://malawimoments.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/rock_art.jpg

According to Malawi customs, some types of oral literature are not allowed to be performed outside certain social contexts or by certain types of people.  For instance, songs about circumcision are only to be sung when a circumcision is about to take place and although "proverbs are the exclusive property of adults, riddles are children's verbal plays".[2]  Proverbs have long been attributed to carrying wisdom and education across generations, as well as contributing to the shaping of individuals' values and attitudes.  Additionally, story telling in the form of tales and songs help form cultural and societal values, accepted social behaviors, and help in the forming of political authority.[3]  The history of story telling through songs and stories has allowed Malawians to express publicly what perhaps they would not know how to communicate in a one on one setting, thus providing emotional stress relief.  Moreover, age old themes such as the rise from rags to riches have continued to give hope to the poor.[4]  

Just as in Western cultures, the entertainment value of oral literature is a key element often involving the audience as is heard in the Malawian story, "The Orphan".  Audience members are encouraged to participate by repeating, "tiltonse", which means "we are together" in the Malawian language of Chichewa.[5]  The recording of "Mwana Wamasiye" ("The Orphan") is a useful way to hear first hand the way Malawi people communicate traditional stories to their people:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXGmlFMHUm4.[6]  The participation of those who are listening is evident and adds to the sense of community and culture.

_____________________________________
1 Chongoni Rock-Art Area-Malawi, accessed October 29, 2014, http://www.africanworldheritagesites.org/cultural-places/rock-art-pre-history/chongoni-rock-art-area.html, ¶ 2.
2 Elisabeth Hangartner-Everts, Tradition of African Story Telling: Oral Literature in the Homes and Schools (Pre-School/Kindergarten) of Northern Malawi, (2008), accessed October 28, 2014, http://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/cehs_student/3/, p. 9-10, ¶4, and 1.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
5 Jonas Agerbaek Jeppesen, Malawian Storytelling Filmed, (2011), accessed October 29, 2014, http://www.nai.uu.se/news/articles/2011/11/14/092041/index.xml , ¶ 5.
6 An Orphan/Mwana Wamasiye, (2011), accessed October 30, 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXGmlFMHUm4