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| 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]
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| Gule Wamkulu in traditional dress |
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]
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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.
