DISCOVER MALAWI

“Discover Malawi” is the regular feature we publish to make you discover the beauty of this country.

We will talk about history, culture, environment, people and many other things… are you ready to join us on this virtual tour?

“But … Where is Malawi? I’ve never heard of it.”

This is one of the most frequently asked questions, so let’s take a general look at the geography of the country. Surrounded by Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia, Malawi is a landlocked country in south-eastern Africa.

Despite its small size, the country hosts the third-largest lake in Africa, Lake Malawi, located in the Great Rift Valley. Because the country is in the Southern Hemisphere, which places Malawi beneath the equator, the seasons are reversed from ours.

There are two main seasons—the dry season (winter), which lasts from May to October, and the rainy season (summer), which lasts from November to April. During the rainy season, the country becomes wonderfully green.

The name of the country, Malawi, finds its root in the term “Maravi”, the name of a Bantu people who migrated from southern Congo around 1400, and it means “Flaming waters”. Malawi is one of the 10 poorest countries in the world; there are no mineral and oil resources, and the economy is based on agriculture.  The income of the country mainly relies on the exportation of some of its typical products such as tobacco, tea and sugar.

Link: https://www.britannica.com/place/Malawi

MALAWI

Let’s discover Malawi together…

“But … Where is Malawi? I’ve never heard of it.”

This is one of the most frequently asked questions, so let’s take a general look at the geography of the country. Surrounded by Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia, Malawi is a landlocked country in south-eastern Africa.

Despite its small size, the country hosts the third-largest lake in Africa, Lake Malawi, located in the Great Rift Valley. Because the country is in the Southern Hemisphere, which places Malawi beneath the equator, the seasons are reversed from ours.

There are two main seasons—the dry season (winter), which lasts from May to October, and the rainy season (summer), which lasts from November to April. During the rainy season, the country becomes wonderfully green.

The name of the country, Malawi, finds its root in the term “Maravi”, the name of a Bantu people who migrated from southern Congo around 1400, and it means “Flaming waters”. Malawi is one of the 10 poorest countries in the world; there are no mineral and oil resources, and the economy is based on agriculture.  The income of the country mainly relies on the exportation of some of its typical products such as tobacco, tea and sugar.

Link: https://www.britannica.com/place/Malawi

.

An imposing massif, Mount Mulanje rises 3000m above the surrounding tea plantations in one of the most impressive settings of this country. Mount Mulanje is locally known as the ‘Island in the Sky’, and on a foggy day, it is easy to understand why. When the mist lifts, it envelops the mountain, leaving out only the summit that seems to float high above the ground.

The mountain is home to a number of different species of animals, including the small leaping antelopes and the cheeky green guenons. Birdlife is also very rich, including kestrels, black crows, black eagles and buzzards. The mountain surroundings prosper in tea plantations, an industry that is currently flourishing in the area. 

Since 2020, we have been working with a local lodge with the hope to start our second training camp here. Coach Geoffrey has already been selected, and the young athletes are training to compete for the new upcoming scholarships.
It is an honour for us to be part of this community, and to see the improvements that our children are accomplishing. We hope to update you soon.


 
 

MULANJE

Mulanje, the next house…

.

An imposing massif, Mount Mulanje rises 3000m above the surrounding tea plantations in one of the most impressive settings of this country. Mount Mulanje is locally known as the ‘Island in the Sky’, and on a foggy day, it is easy to understand why. When the mist lifts, it envelops the mountain, leaving out only the summit that seems to float high above the ground.

The mountain is home to a number of different species of animals, including the small leaping antelopes and the cheeky green guenons. Birdlife is also very rich, including kestrels, black crows, black eagles and buzzards. The mountain surroundings prosper in tea plantations, an industry that is currently flourishing in the area. 

Since 2020, we have been working with a local lodge with the hope to start our second training camp here. Coach Geoffrey has already been selected, and the young athletes are training to compete for the new upcoming scholarships.
It is an honour for us to be part of this community, and to see the improvements that our children are accomplishing. We hope to update you soon.


 
 

What does “Mulungu dalitsani Malawi” mean? 

This expression means “Oh God Bless Our Land of Malawi,” and it is the title of the national anthem, a hymn to the prosperity and beauty of the country, the generosity of its people, and the desire for peace and freedom. There are two versions: the original in Chicheŵa and the English translation. 

The colors chosen for the flag are not random: the black represents the African people, the red stands for the blood of the martyrs who fought for freedom, and the green was chosen for Malawi’s nature. The rising sun represents the dawn of freedom and hope for Africa. The country’s coat of arms is a legacy of the British colonial period (it reminds us of the European heraldic tradition), based on the symbol of Nyasaland, a British protectorate, which became the independent state of Malawi only in 1964. As we wrote last week, Malawi means “Flaming Waters”, and it refers to the setting of the sun in the lake. Its rising sun, a symbol of freedom and rebirth, is also represented in the coat of arms, as well as on the flag. The waves symbolize Lake Malawi and the rock supporting the shield and cats represent Mount Mulanje, the country’s highest mountain. ‘Unity and Freedom’, shown in the drape, is the national motto. This coat of arms is also depicted on coins! 

6 July 1964: Malawi becomes an independent Commonwealth state – this is a day of national holiday! The country’s streets are festively decorated and in Lilongwe’s national stadium, the President releases a speech to the people and then the military parade takes place.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNIFCxlMfYc



THE SYMBOLS

What does “Mulungu dalitsani Malawi” mean? 

This expression means “Oh God Bless Our Land of Malawi,” and it is the title of the national anthem, a hymn to the prosperity and beauty of the country, the generosity of its people, and the desire for peace and freedom. There are two versions: the original in Chicheŵa and the English translation. 

The colors chosen for the flag are not random: the black represents the African people, the red stands for the blood of the martyrs who fought for freedom, and the green was chosen for Malawi’s nature. The rising sun represents the dawn of freedom and hope for Africa. The country’s coat of arms is a legacy of the British colonial period (it reminds us of the European heraldic tradition), based on the symbol of Nyasaland, a British protectorate, which became the independent state of Malawi only in 1964. As we wrote last week, Malawi means “Flaming Waters”, and it refers to the setting of the sun in the lake. Its rising sun, a symbol of freedom and rebirth, is also represented in the coat of arms, as well as on the flag. The waves symbolize Lake Malawi and the rock supporting the shield and cats represent Mount Mulanje, the country’s highest mountain. ‘Unity and Freedom’, shown in the drape, is the national motto. This coat of arms is also depicted on coins! 

6 July 1964: Malawi becomes an independent Commonwealth state – this is a day of national holiday! The country’s streets are festively decorated and in Lilongwe’s national stadium, the President releases a speech to the people and then the military parade takes place.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNIFCxlMfYc



Who is Linda Khumbanyiwa? 

She is the founder of a contemporary women’s wear brand called “Lynne Kayenne Studio”. The young designer is bringing the rich tradition of Malawian culture into the modern era, exporting her garments all over the world. But Linda is not just an entrepreneur, part of her profits is indeed invested in local communities to support young women and encourage them to fulfill their potential. 

She studied and lived in the Ivory Coast, where she was fascinated by the style of the girls, how they use make-up and do their hair, and in Tunisia, where she says she was most inspired by the Mediterranean influence. 
 
While studying in England, she had the opportunity to work with an Italian fashion designer and pose as a model, fulfilling one of her biggest dreams. This satisfaction led her to write a book “D.R.E.A.M.C.H.A.S.E.R: 8 Ways to Make it Happen”, telling stories of great women who did not give up and fought to make their dreams come true. She then started her own blog to give a voice to people of color, who she felt were not being given enough justice in fashion magazines and TV shows.

FASHION DESIGNER LINDA KHUMBANYIWA

Who is Linda Khumbanyiwa? 

She is the founder of a contemporary women’s wear brand called “Lynne Kayenne Studio”. The young designer is bringing the rich tradition of Malawian culture into the modern era, exporting her garments all over the world. But Linda is not just an entrepreneur, part of her profits is indeed invested in local communities to support young women and encourage them to fulfill their potential. 

She studied and lived in the Ivory Coast, where she was fascinated by the style of the girls, how they use make-up and do their hair, and in Tunisia, where she says she was most inspired by the Mediterranean influence. 
 
While studying in England, she had the opportunity to work with an Italian fashion designer and pose as a model, fulfilling one of her biggest dreams. This satisfaction led her to write a book “D.R.E.A.M.C.H.A.S.E.R: 8 Ways to Make it Happen”, telling stories of great women who did not give up and fought to make their dreams come true. She then started her own blog to give a voice to people of color, who she felt were not being given enough justice in fashion magazines and TV shows.