Business
A positive portrayal of Malawi from the outside world is depressingly hard to come by. The country is often used as a statistical benchmark, synonymous with poverty or ethical malpractice. “Malawi”, scold international articles loudly, “is one of the world’s poorest countries.” True though the qualification may be, it remains only economic, in terms of cultural heritage, Malawi is among the worlds most wealthy. Its extraordinarily diverse output of visual arts, music, theatre, crafts and literature calls not only to be consolidated and preserved, but above all to be celebrated. As an immigrant to Malawi, I can only ever offer an outsider’s impression, it will inevitably be flawed and incomplete. Explanation of particular aspects should be left to specialists. In this short space I simply hope to illuminate the
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breadth and wealth of what the country’s culture affords and the urgent need to take it seriously. ‘Culture’ is a slippery term to define but it is broadly understood to be the way of life, the customs and beliefs of a people. It encompasses that people’s expression of knowledge through arts, performance, music, ideas, stories and mythologies. From its Latin roots, the word has preserved religious undertones and demands to be cared for, tended and inhabited. Malawi’s culture is undeniably fully inhabited on a day-to-day basis. The visual fabric of the country is peppered with colour and form, from the stylish zitenje to the simple beauty invested in functional objects, pestles, woven mats, nsima spoons, dove houses and children’s toys. Music occupies almost every aspect of daily life. Worship, mourning, work-
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