by Willard Amadu

The richness of Africa truly lies in its roots, and culture plays a central role in our identity and way of life. Here in East Africa, and especially in Malawi where I live, culture is not just something we preserve — it’s something we live every day.

 Music and Dance

Music and traditional dance are deeply woven into our daily lives. In Malawi, we have traditional dances like Gule Wamkulu, performed by the Chewa people mostly  found in Central regions — it’s spiritual, symbolic. There are others like Ingoma and Tchopa, each with its own rhythm and meaning, often tied to seasons, celebrations, or storytelling.

Although we do have foreign music and dances too, this due to global village. With the coming in of technology we are as well copying foreign music and dances and fuse them with our traditional style. 

🗣️ Languages

We are blessed with diverse languages. Malawi alone has over 10 major ethnic groups, and languages like Chichewa, Yao, Tumbuka, and Lomwe are widely spoken. Each carries its own proverbs, songs, and oral traditions passed down through generations.

 Food and Festivals

Our food is also rich in tradition. Common staples include nsima (a maize-based dish), chambo (a local fish from Lake Malawi), and a variety of leafy greens and beans. During harvest festivals or national celebrations, people come together in community feasts, dressed in traditional cloth like zitenje and chitenje. Even music festival organized by various individuals and companies they bring foreign entertainers and mostly it happens around the beaches ⛱️  around summer, we have good lakes ,fresh water 💧 all year long.

Clothing and Crafts

Traditional wear is vibrant and symbolic. Women often wrap colorful cloths, and men wear tailored shirts with traditional patterns. We also produce amazing crafts — woven mats, wood carvings, beadwork — all of which tell stories about our history and beliefs.

We have alot of suverniors all over the markets , the sad reality it’s that most of people who buys thus are foreigners, local people don’t value them most hence the business losing its interest.

Willard Amadu

 Executive Director – Nyumba Ya Tsogolo