DOWNLOAD PDF MALAWI; THE HISTORY OF THE NATION

Transcription

1 Chapter 1 : The Times Group Malawi's Premier Online News Note: Citations are based on reference standards. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. The specific requirements or preferences of your reviewing publisher, classroom teacher, institution or organization should be applied. Malawians are part of the large Bantu population that migrated northward from South Africa at around the turn of the twentieth century. Malawi is a landlocked country that lies east of Zambia, north and west of Mozambique, and south of Tanzania. Its area is 45, square miles, square kilometers. The major topographic feature is Lake Malawi, a freshwater lake that is home to hundreds of fish species found nowhere else in the world. Twenty percent of the landmass consists of water. The topography varies from the high Nyika plateau in the north to the Shire River valley in the south that is an extension of the Great Rift Valley. In the far southeast corner is Mount Mulanje, which is among the highest mountains in Africa. The capital, Lilongwe, is roughly in the center of the country. However, the major commercial center is Blantyre, named after the birthplace in Scotland of the first European to discover Lake Malawi, the English explorer Livingston. Access to the Indian Ocean is normally by rail to the port of Beira in Mozambique. In, the estimated population was ten million, with 45 percent of the population under age 14, and 3 percent over age The population density is one of the highest in Africa. The most widely spoken language 60 percent of the population is Chewa, which originated among the Bantu tribes of South Africa. Five percent of the people speak Yao, and 30 percent speak Arabic. The language of government, industry, and commerce is English, which every schoolchild studies. English is spoken in cities but rarely in rural areas. History and Ethnic Relations Emergence of the Nation. Bantu peoples moved into the territory in the first millennium C. By the sixteenth century, a Malawi kingdom had trade relations with the coastal areas of Mozambique. Jesuit missionaries from Portugal visited the territory near Lake Nyasa in the seventeenth century, but the lake probably was not known to Europeans until the Scottish missionary and explorer David Livingstone reached its shores in European involvement began in and, when Scottish church missions were established, and a British consul was stationed in the country in In, treaties that had been negotiated with indigenous rulers resulted in the formal declaration of a British protectorate called the Nyasaland Districts Protectorate. Beginning in, it was known as the British Central Africa Protectorate, and in, the area was officially designated the Nyasaland Protectorate. In, John Chilembwe, an African preacher, staged a short, bloody uprising in response to the treatment of Africans by British colonists. After World War II, nationalist movements gained strength. After, the protectorate was joined for ten years in a federation with Northern Rhodesia and Southern Rhodesia now Zambia and Zimbabwe called the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. That federation was opposed by nationalists who advocated political freedom from British rule. The protectorate gained independence in under Malawi its new name, Malawi. It was declared a republic in, and Prime Minister Banda was elected president by the National Assembly. Under the Banda regime, the country embarked on a vigorous program of economic development. He also maintained friendly relations with Mozambique until governed by Portugal and in signed a trade pact with South Africa. In November, the constitution was amended to make Banda president for life. Maintaining good relations with white-dominated South Africa, he became the first black African head of state to visit that country. His policy toward South Africa brought criticism from other black African countries, and his influence in continental affairs was minimal. The first parliamentary elections were held in Although only the Malawi Congress Party participated, a majority of the incumbent members were defeated; participation in the,, and elections also was restricted to that party. The economy performed sluggishly in the early s, burdened by foreign debt and an influx of Mozambican refugees. Meanwhile, Banda faced rising domestic discontent and international criticism of his human rights record. In May, a new constitution was approved, and then the first multiparty elections took place. Bakili Muluzi, the leader of the United Democratic Front and a former federal cabinet member, defeated Banda for the presidency and formed a government dominated by that party. In keeping with the new constitution, which established a human rights commission, Muluzi freed political prisoners and closed three prisons where tortures was said to have taken place. In early, Banda and a top Page 1

2 deputy were tried for the killings of four government officials. He modeled his government on the British Parliament and built Kamuzu Academy as a private school patterned after Eton. Only the brightest and wealthiest were able to attend; students were required to wear uniforms with straw boater hats and played cricket and rugby. The British influence still can be seen in driving on the left side of the road, roundabouts, speed bumps, and school uniforms. Banda was revered by the general population, but most of the intelligentsia wanted him removed. Every government office had his picture on the wall. When he traveled within the country, streets would be closed and would be lined with schoolchildren waving flags and singing national songs. An audience with Banda would be extremely deferential, and servants were expected to enter and leave the A row of laundry hangs to dry on a washing line in Malawi. Water is obtained from lakes, rivers, and wells and must be carried over great distances. A mbumba, a ceremonial group of women dancers accompanied him to all state functions. The many tribes generally have gotten along well. However, there is a feeling that people from the north are more intelligent than their southern counterparts, and Banda mistrusted northerners, attempting to keep them out of public office and curtail their enrollment in Kamuzu Academy. At that time, Malawi was one of the few African countries that could feed itself. Urbanism, Architecture, and the Use of Space Malawi has an agricultural economy, and even in urban areas, each home generally has a small plot of corn. There are three main cities. Blantyre, the commercial center, Lilongwe, the new capital, replacing Zomba; and Mzuzu in the far north. In, the tallest building in the country was seven stories and the country had only four traffic signals. The vast majority of homes are constructed of sticks and mud with either a thatched roof or a roof of corrugated iron held down by stones. Families tend to build their homes close to each other in a small compound. A typical home might consist of such a house with separate rooms for sleeping, eating, and storage. Cooking is done over a wood or charcoal fire in a separate building with a smoke hole in the roof. Furnishings are very simple, often homemade, with few decorations. Cow dung often is used to create the floor of the house. Bathing is done outside, often within a circular thatched shield with an open roof. Water is carried, often over great distances, from a lake, river, or well for cooking and bathing. In the larger cities, the water is potable. Food and Economy Food in Daily Life. Chickens, goats, and an occasional pig are used to supplement the standard dish of boiled cornmeal called nsima. Nsima is eaten twice a day, usually at lunch and dinner, and is preferred by most people to rice or potatoes. Fruits are plentiful, including mangoes, melons, oranges, bananas, and pineapples. Vegetables are cultivated but are not popular. Soft drinks are quite prevalent, especially Coca-Cola. Alcoholic beverages are mainly beer there is a large brewery in Blantyre, a homemade brew called chibuku, that is usually produced by women and served in cut-off milk cartons, and a more potent distilled liquor that often causes severe health problems. Food Customs at Ceremonial Occasions. Most weddings and funerals involve the consumption of alcoholic beverages. In the last decade, the economy has gone downhill, the value of the kwacha has declined, and the rate of inflation is high. Malawi relies heavily on foodstuffs supplied by Western nations. Land Tenure and Property. Land is treated as part of the public domain. A person may settle on a piece of ground, build a home, and grow crops as long as he gets the approval of his neighbors. After a certain period, he is permitted to register the plot with the government and is given legal title. Malawi has some of the most fertile land in the region. Almost 70 percent of agricultural produce comes from smalholder farmers. However, land distribution is unequal with more than 40 percent of smallholder households cultivating very small plots. There is very little import trade. Tourism is beginning to build after the collapse of the repressive government of Dr. Banda, and plans are in place to build more resorts and restore the roads. The organizations that produce coffee, tea, and tobacco, such as the British-American Tobacco Company, are replacing their British managers with Malawians. The country produces no manufactured goods for export; thus, the economy depends heavily on agricultural staples. During the years of apartheid, Malawi was the only country in Africa that had diplomatic relations with South Africa. Many South Africans visited the country, and a basic tourism infrastructure was developed. Today there are tourists from many countries, but the country does not have an abundance of wildlife and there are no game parks. However, there is a potential for increased tourism because of the natural beauty and varied topography and because the country is unspoiled and inexpensive. The major exports are tobacco, coffee, and tea. The country imports electrical appliances, small machinery, and automobiles, primarily Japanese. The Page 2

3 balance of trade is favorable. Social Stratification Classes and Castes. People from the northern region have a reputation for being better educated and more skilled in business. Page 3

4 Chapter 2 : Malawi history - geography theinnatdunvilla.com malawi the history of the nation Download malawi the history of the nation or read online books in PDF, EPUB, Tuebl, and Mobi Format. Click Download or Read Online button to get malawi the history of the nation book now. Nov 23, Roger rated it liked it I had some specific interests and this is a fairly general book. It is actually a collection of radio talks with each chapter covering a different talk. Land of the Lake by Frank Debenham. Debenham wrote in the early s I had some specific interests and this is a fairly general book. Debenham wrote in the early s and this on is from 20 years later. The British ruler have gone and Africans are in charge, and the writer is African. Probably the best I can do is cite the example that caught my attention most. An early missionary named Booth gratefully recounts arriving with his nine year old daughter in the pouring rain. Some locals were sitting under a tiny makeshift shelter where they had built a fire but they made room for the newcomers, which actually meant they had to stand in the rain themselves. In contrast is a letter to the newspaper about the same time ranting that the blacks are all criminals and should not be educated, and preaching to them was of no use. The writer expressed a need to beat them when he felt like it. Chilembwe was, naturally, of the same mind. Much later, in, Chilembwe was running a mission of his own and having constant problems with surrounding landowners who sound like they might have written letters like the one referred to above. Matters came to a head and three white farmers were killed as well as Chilembwe and several of his followers. He is now regarded as something of a martyr in Malawi. Stephen had heard the instruction but he had not mentioned it so as not to cause any worry. She saw him as part of the family and a great help to them. Later parts of the book go into details of how the country developed socially, politically and economically. At the time it was written they still had a president-for-life who was removed in He seems to have been a good enough guy, but regular elections are better. Page 4

5 Chapter 3 : 10 fascinating facts about Malawi, the African nation with a Scottish city To ask other readers questions about Malawi The History Of The Nation, please sign up. Be the first to ask a question about Malawi The History Of The Nation I had some specific interests and this is a fairly general book. It is actually a collection of radio talks with each chapter covering a. The people lived by hunting and gathering. However by the 4th century AD Bantu people arrived in the area and they introduced iron tools and weapons. They also introduced farming. In the 15th century people who lived south of Lake Nyasa began to build an empire. They created an empire called the Maravi. By the 18th century the Maravi Empire included parts of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. However in the 18th century the Maravi Empire broke up. Meanwhile in the 16th century the Portuguese reached the Maravi Empire. The people of the empire sold them slaves and ivory. The Portuguese brought maize originally a South American crop to this part of Africa. In the 18th century and early 19th century a people from northern Mozambique called the Yao raided Malawi and took captives to be sold to the Arabs as slaves. In the s a fierce people called the Ngoni invaded the area. They frequently fought the Yao. Following him in two Scottish Presbyterian missionary societies built missions in the area. More missionaries followed and British merchants began to sell goods in the region. In Britain sent a consul to the area. Gradually the British took control of Malawi. The first commissioner was Harry Johnston. The British ended the slave trade and they created coffee plantations. In Johnston was replaced by Alfred Sharpe. In the British named Malawi Nyasaland. Also in Nyasaland was given a legislative council. The commissioner was made a governor. Alfred Sharpe retired in However in January a man named John Chilembwe led a rebellion in Malawi which was quickly crushed. However as the Africans were increasingly well educated they became more and more dissatisfied with being ruled by Europeans. In they formed the Nyasaland African Congress. In native Malawians were allowed to sit on the legislative council for the first time. There were many protests against British rule and as a result a state of emergency was declared. During it Banda was imprisoned for a time. However the British now realized that independence for Malawi was inevitable. In the Malawian Congress Party won elections to the legislative council and in the British agreed to make Malawi independent. The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was dissolved in Malawi became independent on 6 July Independent Malawi At first Banda was prime minister of Malawi. In Malawi was made a republic. The British Queen was no longer head of state and Banda became president. Under British rule Zomba was the capital of Malawi. In Lilongwe became the capital. For economic reasons Banda was keen to have good relations with South Africa. In he established diplomatic relations. This move was unpopular because South Africa then had a system of apartheid. Nevertheless Banda visited South Africa in In he made himself president of Malawi for life. All dissent was ruthlessly crushed. Letters and telephone calls were censored. So were films and magazines. However like other African dictators Banda himself was very rich, while most of his people were very poor. Banda owned palaces, cars and even helicopters. Then in Malawi suffered a severe drought. Not surprisingly there were violent protests in Malawi. Also some western countries suspended aid. The Malawian churches also decried the situation. Finally in Banda was forced to hold a referendum. The people were asked if they wanted to continue one party rule or return to democracy. The great majority voted for democracy. So elections were held on 17 May Bilki Muluzi became the new president. The main crops are cassava, sorghum and maize. There are also many cattle and sheep. Malawi also has many white owned plantations. Products include tea, tobacco, sugar, cotton and peanuts. Many Malawians also live by fishing on Lake Malawi. Furthermore Malawi has a great potential for tourism. It has several national parks. In Bingu wa Mutharika was elected President of Malawi and he began an anti-corruption drive. In Joyce Banda became the first woman president of Malawi. Meanwhile in the early 21st century Malawi achieved steady economic growth. Although Malawi is still a poor country it is developing. There is reason to be optimistic about the future of Malawi. Today the population of Malawi is 19 million. Page 5

6 Chapter 4 : Culture of Malawi - history, people, women, beliefs, food, customs, family, social, dress Traces the influence of external forces, African, European and Asian, on the history of Malawi. The first comprehensive study of Malawi's history which considers events not only from the point of view of Malawi, but also in the wider context of Central African history." - from dust jacket. Average wear. Usual library markings. Established by Bantu-speaking peoples in about, and continuing into the 18th century, the confederacy controls territory west from the great lake to the Luangwa River, south to the Zambezi and east to the coast. This tribal empire of the Maravi people loses cohesion in the 18th century under the impact of Arab traders arriving from the coast. Local chieftains now make their own competitive arrangements in the rapidly developing trade in ivory and slaves. And the Yao people, living south and east of Lake Nyasa, begin to rival the Maravi as middlemen between the interior and the markets on the coast. Livingstone, who launches an anti-slavery crusade based on what he has witnessed along the Zambezi, reaches Lake Nyasa in So the missionaries are soon followed by an African Lakes Company, financed in Scotland. Their difficulties prompt the appointment, in, of a British consul to the area. Thus in, when Cecil Rhodes is making his treaty with Lewanika further to the west, there is already a British presence in the region bordering Lake Nyasa. By contrast the settlers sent by Rhodes into present-day Zimbabwe and Zambia are the European pioneers in these regions. This distinction directly affects British policy. But in the same year the British government takes direct responsibility for the administration of present-day Malawi - to be known from as the British Central African Protectorate, and from as Nyasaland. Over the next half century Nyasaland barely prospers. With work in short supply for the African population, many move to neighbouring countries in search of employment. By the s the political future of these neighbouring African colonies is under intense discussion. The Europeans of Rhodesia and Northern Rhodesia assume that sooner or later they will merge to form a single independent nation. But any such policy is resisted by the Africans, particularly in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland with their small European populations. To Africans here the danger of union is obvious. They will be overshadowed by the strong European culture of Rhodesia, postponing perhaps indefinitely the ideal of independence under black majority rule. This is to be a self-governing colony, with its own assembly and prime minister first Lord Malvern, and from Roy Welensky. The intention is to derive the greatest economic benefit from the larger unit while minimizing political tension between the three parts of the federation, each of which retains its existing local government. The federated colonies are at differing stages in their political development. All they have in common is an almost complete absence of any African voice in the political process. Northern Rhodesia has a legislative council with, since, two seats reserved for African members. Two years later, in, places are found for five members. The intended economic benefits materialize during the early years of the federation, helped by a world rise in copper prices, but this is not enough to stifle increasing political unrest - particularly as British colonies elsewhere in Africa win independence beginning with Ghana in In the early s African politicians in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland win increasing power in their legislative councils. The pressure grows to break up the federation. In March, by which time all three colonies are demanding independence, the British government finally concedes. The federation is formally dissolved on 31 December A group of politicians, among them a doctor, Hastings Banda, speak out against the proposed linking of the three colonies. When it nevertheless happens, in, Banda goes abroad to practise medicine in Ghana. But there is pressure from his colleagues for him to return. He does so in, becoming president of the Nyasaland African Congress. In this position he leads an increasingly strident campaign against the federation. Released in, Banda takes part in government discussions on political reform. A compromise is achieved. Banda joins the government as a minister in and becomes prime minister when Nyasaland is granted internal self-government in February, ten months before the federation is dissolved. Nyasaland becomes independent in July, taking the name Malawi. Banda retains his post as prime minister. He maintains cordial relations with the repressive white-supremacist regimes of the southern continent, South Africa and the Portuguese administration in neighbouring Mozambique. Within months of independence several members of his cabinet resign - partly on this issue, and partly in protest at the autocratic style of government which Banda adopts Page 6

7 from the start. Little will change over the years in either respect. In two of his ex-ministers lead a rebellion against him. It fails, and the following year Banda transforms Malawi into a republic with himself as president - a post which in he claims for life. He runs the country as a one-party state, with ferocious persecution of anyone showing signs of disagreement with his policies. Members of the MCP Malawi Congress Party stand for parliament in periodic elections, but under a amendment to the constitution the president may nominate as many members of parliament as he wishes. An exceptionally low turn-out for elections in coincides with pressure from international loan agencies for the introduction of multiparty democracy. The eventual result, after strong opposition from Banda and his MCP, is new elections in In spite of reported violence and intimidation by the MCP, the main opposition presidential candidate, Bakili Muluzi, is elected. His party, the United Democratic Front, also has the largest number of seats in parliament. In Banda is arrested and is charged with the murder, ten years previously, of three former cabinet colleagues. He is acquitted and dies in retirement, in, at the age of ninety-five. This brings a much needed increase in foreign investment and aid. Page 7

8 Chapter 5 : Malawi: Truth, Knowledge, History Of This South African Nation â Truth Troubles Malawi: The History of the Nation by Bridglal Pachai starting at $ Malawi: The History of the Nation has 2 available editions to buy at Alibris 48 Hours Only Save $ Chris Leadbeater Today is a red-letter date in the African country of Malawi. Independence Day, in fact. As it has been since July 6, A good enough reason to read through a few fascinating facts about a country which remains a relatively niche destination for tourists? Malawi has a British back-story Nothing unusual here. Many parts of Africa felt the hot breath of British colonialism, and Malawi was no different. A British protectorate was established in By, it had taken on the formal name "Nyasaland" - a title which endured until, when the protectorate was dissolved and Malawi became an independent country becoming a republic two years later. History lesson over - for now, anyway. It is defiantly land-locked Some African countries enjoy enormous swathes of coastline. Malawi is not one of them. It is hemmed in on all sides by other, bigger neighbours - by Mozambique to the east, south and south-east; by Zambia to the west; by Tanzania to the east and north-east. By quirk of 19th century bureaucracy, the precise route of the border with the latter is a source of ongoing controversy. The Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty of, drafted between Britain and Germany in the carve-up of Africa, is unhelpfully vague on where, exactly, the frontier runs - and, years later, the two countries are still at odds as to who owns what, and where. Officially, it does the latter, but the discovery of oil reserves under the surface of the lake has thrown several cats into a large box of pigeons. The treaty was concluded before either country existed in its modern state, and the smallprint has never been expanded. That said, the lake is so big that it amounts to about a third of Malawian territory. There are 11, square miles of it altogether - some 9, of them Malawian. Lake Malawi accounts for a fifth of the country 4. Lake Malawi is a lake of superlatives Lake Malawi is the main reason to visit Malawi. Partly because of its sheer size. It is miles long from its northern to its southern tip. This measurement make it the ninth largest lake in the world, and the third largest and second deepest in Africa eclipsed by Lakes Victoria and Tanganyika. It is, according to Unesco, home to more species of fish than any other lake on the planet, including some types of cichlid - the little, colourful, befinned creatures which flicker and flutter in its shallows. A beautiful, evocative place, in other words. Livingstone described it as a "Lake of Stars", referring to the thousands of fishing boats which drift across its surface at night, the lanterns on their prows visible from shore. You can see the real stars clearly too Livingstone was not referring to celestial constellations. But the clear skies above Lake Malawi provide excellent conditions for star-gazing. Pumulani Lodge, a luxury beach resort at the south end of the lake pumulani. You can go on safari, but patience is required As with much of sub-saharan Africa, Malawi has its game zones. And, as with much of the lower half of the continent, many of them have had their issues with poaching and hunting. Malawi, as a nation ranked among the poorest on the planet, has been particularly affected by rifle-shot destruction of its animal population. But there are green shoots. Each of them is worth a few days of your time, even if you have to focus more on elephants at watering holes than the lions and other big cats which, although present, are still relatively low in number. Telegraph Travel ran a piece on this slow recovery process last summer. More on that here. You can always look out for the Little Five Malawi is a viable location for seeking out the diminutive counterpart to the Big Five. Not the big beasts of the savannah, but the under-sized mammals, insects, birds and creepy-crawlies, with similar names, which haunt the trees, soil and undergrowth. Sure, not quite as impressive as a leopard dozing in an acacia - but, with the right guide, a sterling part of any trip to Malawi. You can always make roaring noises for effect. There are echoes of Scotland Deep in the south of the country, the second city, Blantyre, was founded by Scottish settlers in It was named it in honour of Blantyre in South Lanarkshire - which, in the squaring of a circle, was the birthplace of David Livingstone in The comparisons go further than mere nomenclature. While the average daily temperature is certainly - and considerably - higher than in, say, Glasgow, Blantyre can boast some of the elevation which defines the Scottish landscape. It sits in the Shire Highlands, at an altitude of some 3,ft 1,m. This gives it an occasional coolness of weather - one of the reasons why those first Europeans chose the site. Malawi is an Africa that few tourists see Credit: The capital is something of a child Lilongwe is younger Page 8

9 than Blantyre. While there has been a fishing village on the banks of the Lilongwe River for centuries, the modern city was only officially founded as a trading post in - and only recognised as a town in It became the Malawian capital even later, in - when kingpin status was taken away from Zomba, which had stood as the administrative hub in the colonial era. Quite a few tour operators cover it It is unlikely to be the country you type into a search engine if you are planning a first trip to Africa, but for those who love the continent, Malawi is an intriguing part of the tapestry. And there are professionals on hand to make a visit possible. Expert Africa rather sums up the country with the following commentary: There is relatively little tourism in Malawi. If you want an unseen side of Africa, this is your place. Page 9

10 Chapter 6 : HISTORY OF MALAWI Malawi past and present; studies in local and regional history. Edited by B. Pachai, G. W. Smith [and] R Malawi past and present; selected papers from the University of Malawi History Conference. Chongoni Rock Art Area. The area of Africa now known as Malawi had a very small population of hunter-gatherers before waves of Bantu peoples began emigrating from the north around the 10th century. By, however, the empire had broken up into areas controlled by many individual ethnic groups. The Portuguese government was also interested in the area so, to prevent Portuguese occupation, the British government sent Harry Johnston as British consul with instructions to make treaties with local rulers beyond Portuguese jurisdiction. An influential opponent of the CAF was Dr. Hastings Banda, a European-trained doctor working in Ghana who was persuaded to return to Nyasaland in to assist the nationalist cause. Banda was elected president of the NAC and worked to mobilise nationalist sentiment before being jailed by colonial authorities in The Federation was dissolved in, and on 6 July, Nyasaland became independent from British rule and renamed itself Malawi. Under a new constitution, Malawi became a republic with Banda as its first president. The new document also formally made Malawi a one-party state with the MCP as the only legal party. In, Banda was declared president-for-life. For almost 30 years, Banda presided over a rigidly totalitarian regime, which ensured that Malawi did not suffer armed conflict. Under pressure for increased political freedom, Banda agreed to a referendum in, where the populace voted for a multi-party democracy. Re-elected in, Muluzi remained president until, when Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika was elected. Although the political environment was described as "challenging", it was stated in that a multi-party system still existed in Malawi. Malawi is a democratic, multi-party government, currently under the leadership of Arthur Peter Mutharika, who defeated former president Joyce Banda in the elections, despite alleged poll rigging. The branches of the government consist of executive, legislative and judicial. The executive includes a president who is both chief of state and head of government, first and second vice presidents and a cabinet. The president and Vice President are elected together every five years. A second vice president may be appointed by the president if so chosen, although they must be from a different party. The members of the cabinet are appointed by the president and can be from either inside or outside of the legislature. If created, the Senate would provide representation for traditional leaders and a variety of geographic districts, as well as special interest groups including the disabled, youth and women. There are currently nine political parties, with the Democratic Progressive Party acting as the ruling party, it is in an unofficial coalition with United Democratic Front. Conventional courts and traditional courts have been used in varying combinations, with varying degrees of success and corruption. There was scheduled to be a second round of constitutionally mandated local elections in May, but these were cancelled by the government. Its highest scores were for safety and rule of law, and its lowest scores were for sustainable economic opportunity, with a ranking of 47th on the continent for educational opportunities. Page 10

11 Chapter 7 : Malawi - Wikipedia Destination Malawi, a landlocked, long stretched country in southeastern Africa in the Great Rift Valley on the western shore of Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi), the most southerly lake in the Great African Rift Valley system. Malawi shares international borders with Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique. After three decades of one-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu BANDA the country held multiparty elections in, under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year. As president, MUTHARIKA has overseen substantial economic improvement but because of political deadlock in the legislature, his minority party has been unable to pass significant legislation and anti-corruption measures have stalled. History The earliest inhabitants of the area were Khoisan hunter-gatherers. They were largely replaced by Bantu tribes during Bantu migrations. What is now called Malawi was the Maravi state, founded by the Chewa people in the 16th century. The Chewa were themselves an off-shoot of the Luba Empire. The first significant Western contact was the arrival of David Livingstone along the north shore of Lake Malawi in, and subsequently Scottish Presbyterian churches establishing missions. Although the British remained in control during the first half of the 20th century, this period was marked by a number of unsuccessful Malawian attempts to obtain independence. During the s, pressure for independence increased when Nyasaland was joined with Northern and Southern Rhodesia in to form the Central African Federation. In July, Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda returned to the country after a long absence. In, Banda was sent to Gwelo Prison in Southern Rhodesia now Gweru for his political activities but was released in to participate in a constitutional conference in London. In a second constitutional conference in London in November, the British Government agreed to give Nyasaland self-governing status the following year. This announcement sealed the fate of the Central African Federation, which lost its reason for existence with an independent Nyasaland. A new constitution took effect in May, providing for virtually complete internal self-government. The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was dissolved on December 31,, and Malawi became a fully independent member of the British Commonwealth on July 6, Two years later, Malawi became a republic with Dr. Banda as its first President, and was also declared a one-party state. However, increasing domestic unrest and pressure from Malawian churches and from the international community led to a referendum in which the Malawian people were asked to vote for a new form of government. On June 14,, the people of Malawi voted overwhelmingly in favor of multi-party democracy. Free and fair national elections were held on May 17, That coalition disbanded in June, but some of its members remained in the government. Accelerated economic liberalization and structural reform accompanied the political transition. Southern Africa, east of Zambia Geographic coordinates: Mozambique 1, km, Tanzania km, Zambia km Coastline: Sapitwa Mount Mlanje 3, m Natural resources: NA Environment â current issues: Law of the Sea Geography â note: When Malawi was declared a republic in, the country was formally declared a one-party state. Under Banda, all citizens had to be members of the party. This situation changed in a referendum, which instituted a multiparty system. Under the constitution, the president, who is both chief of state and head of the government, is chosen through universal direct election every five years. Malawi has a vice president who is elected with the president who is currently Bingu wa Mutharika. The president has the option of appointing a second vice president, who must be from a different political party. The members of the presidentially appointed cabinet can be drawn from either within or outside of the legislature. The constitution also provides for a second chamber, a Senate of 80 seats, but to date no action has been taken to create the Senate. The Senate is intended to provide representation for traditional leaders and the different geographical districts, as well as various special interest groups, such as women, youth, and the disabled. The constitution provides for an independent judiciary. Local government is carried out in 27 districts within three regions administered by regional administrators and district commissioners who are appointed by the central government. Local elections, the first in the multi-party era, took place in on November 21, The third multi-party presidential and parliamentary elections, originally planned for May 18, were postponed by two days following a High Court appeal by the main opposition Mgwirizano Unity coalition. Life expectancy at birth: Malawian s Ethnic groups: Page 11

12 Chapter 8 : malawi the history of the nation Download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi Malawi is from today hosting a two-day African Union Summit of the Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government in Lilongwe with at Continue Reading 1 2 1, Next â. See Article History Alternative Titles: Nyasaland, Republic of Malawi Malawi, landlocked country in southeastern Africa. A country endowed with spectacular highlands and extensive lakes, it occupies a narrow, curving strip of land along the East African Rift Valley. Malawi has received a significant amount of foreign capital in the form of development aid, which has contributed greatly toward the exploitation of its natural resources and has allowed Malawi to at times produce a food surplus. Nevertheless, its population has suffered from chronic malnutrition, high rates of infant mortality, and grinding povertyâ a paradox often attributed to an agricultural system that has favoured large estate owners. Most Malawians reside in rural locations. Land Malawi stretches about miles km from north to south and varies in width from 5 to miles 10 to km. It is bordered by Tanzania to the north, Lake Malawi to the east, Mozambique to the east and south, and Zambia to the west. The East African Rift Valleyâ by far the dominant feature of the countryâ is a massive troughlike depression running through the country from north to south and containing Lake Malawi north and central and the Shire River valley south. The Shire valley stretches some miles km from the southern end of Lake Malawi at Mangochi to Nsanje at the Mozambique border and contains Lake Malombe at its northern end. The plateaus of central Malawi rise to elevations of 2, to 4, feet to 1, metres and lie just west of the Lake Malawi littoral; the plateaus cover about three-fourths of the total land area. The highland areas are mainly isolated tracts that rise as much as 8, feet 2, metres above sea level. They comprise the Nyika, Viphya, and Dowa highlands and Dedza- Kirk mountain range in the north and west and the Shire Highlands in the south. The isolated massifs of Mulanje which reach 9, feet [3, metres], the highest point in the country and Zomba which reach 6, feet [2, metres] represent the fourth physical region. Surmounting the Shire Highlands, they descend rapidly in the east to the Lake Chilwa â Phalombe plain. Mulanje MountainsMulanje Mountains, southeastern Malawi. Alex Antener Drainage and soils The major drainage system is that of Lake Malawi, which covers some 11, square miles 29, square km and extends beyond the Malawi border. A second drainage system is that of Lake Chilwa, the rivers of which flow from the Lake Chilwaâ Phalombe plain and the adjacent highlands. Fishing boat on Lake Malawi. Neil Cooperâ Panos Pictures Soils, distributed in a complex pattern, are composed primarily of red earths, with brown soils and yellow gritty clays on the plateaus. Alluvial soils occur on the lakeshores and in the Shire valley, while other soil types include hydromorphic excessively moist soils, black clays, and sandy dunes on the lakeshore. Climate There are two main seasonsâ the dry season, which lasts from May to October, and the wet season, which lasts from November to April. Temperatures vary seasonally, and they tend to decrease on average with increasing elevation. Nsanje, in the Shire River valley, has a mean July temperature in the high 60s F low 20s C and an October mean in the mids F high 20s C, while Dedza, which lies at an elevation of more than 5, feet 1, metres, has a July mean in the high 50s F mids C and an October mean in the high 60s F low 20s C. On the Nyika Plateau and on the upper levels of the Mulanje massif, frosts are not uncommon in July. Annual precipitation levels are highest over parts of the northern highlands and on the Sapitwa peak of the Mulanje massif, where they are about 90 inches 2, mm ; they are lowest in the lower Shire valley, where they range from 25 to 35 inches to mm. Savanna grassy parkland occurs in the dry lowland areas. Woodlands with species of acacia trees cover isolated, more fertile plateau sites and river margins. Grass-covered broad depressions, called madambo singular: Grasslands and evergreen forests are found in conjunction on the highlands and on the Mulanje and Zomba massifs. Swamp vegetation has given way to agricultural species as swamps have been drained and cultivated. Much of the original woodland has been cleared, and, at the same time, forests of softwoods have been planted in the highland areas. High population density and intensive cultivation of the Shire Highlands have also hindered natural succession there, while wells have been sunk and rivers dammed to irrigate the dry grasslands for agriculture. Game animals abound only in the game reserves, where antelope, buffalo, elephants, leopards, lions, rhinoceroses, and zebras occur; hippopotamuses live in Page 12

13 Lake Malawi. The lakes and rivers of Malawi contain hundreds of species and numerous families of fish. Lake Malawi is particularly renowned for its remarkable biodiversityâ an enormous range of fish species inhabit the lake, most of them endemicâ and its southern region, as part of Lake Malawi National Park, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in The most common and commercially significant fish found in Malawi include the endemic tilapia, or chambo nest-building freshwater fish ; catfish, or mlamba; and minnows, or matemba. Among the major concerns are efficient resource utilization, land degradation, deforestation, conservation of marine life, biodiversity, climate change, ozone layer protection, sewage, the pollution of water from agriculture runoff such as fertilizers, endangered species, and industrial pollution. The majority of pollution comes from greenhouse gas emissions, mostly from the usage of coal and charcoal, natural gas, and petroleum. All the African languages spoken are Bantu languages. From to, Chewa was the only national language; it is now one of the numerous languages used in print and broadcast media and is spoken by a majority of the population. Other major languages include Lomwe, Yao, and Tumbuka. Religion Some three-fourths of the population is Christian, of which the majority are members of independent Christian or various Protestant denominations and the remainder are Roman Catholic. Muslims constitute about one-fifth of the population. Traditional beliefs are adhered to by a small proportion of the population. Settlement patterns Although Malawi is one of the most densely populated countries in southern Africa, it is also one of the least urbanized, with more than four-fifths of its people living in rural locations. It is urbanizing at a very rapid rate, however, with movement toward urban areas taking place at a pace far swifter than either the African or global averages. A rural villageâ called a mudziâ is usually small. Organized around the extended family, it is limited by the amount of water and arable land available in the vicinity. On the plateaus, which support the bulk of the population, the most common village sites are at the margins of madambo, which are usually contiguous with streams or rivers and are characterized by woodland, grassland, and fertile alluvial soils. In highland areas, scattered villages are located near perennial mountain streams and pockets of arable land. The larger settlements of the Lake Malawi littoral originated in the 19th century as collection points for slaves and later developed as lakeside ports. Improvements in communications and the sinking of wells in semiarid areas permitted the establishment of new settlements in previously uninhabited areas. Urban development began in the colonial era with the arrival of missionaries, traders, and administrators and was further stimulated by the construction of the railway. Important urban centres include Blantyre, Zomba, Mzuzu, and Lilongwe. Although some district centres and missionary stations have an urban appearance, they are closely associated with the rural settlements surrounding them. Zomba, the capital of Malawi until and now the seat of the University of Malawi, lies at the foot of Zomba Mountain. Mzuzu, long associated with the wood industry, is situated farther north on the Viphya highlands. LilongweGoods for sale at a crafts market in Lilongwe, Malawi. Hans Hillewaert Demographic trends The population is growing at a rate above average for sub-saharan Africa. Nearly half the population is younger than age 15, and about three-fourths of the population is 29 or younger. For background on the status of women in Malawian society, see Sidebar: Gender Issues in Malawi. Economy The backbone of the Malawi economy is agriculture, which in the s employed more than four-fifths of the working population and accounted for about one-third of the gross domestic product GDP and the vast majority of export earnings. Since the mids the government has sought to strengthen the agricultural sector by encouraging integrated land use, higher crop yields, and irrigation schemes. These projects include extension services; credit and marketing facilities; physical infrastructure such as roads, buildings, and water supplies; health centres; afforestation units; and crop storage and protection facilities. Outside the main program areas, advisory services and educational programs are available. However, these schemes have brought little benefit to the smallholders, real growth instead being largely concentrated within the estate sector, which has been favoured by the government. Many smallholders have remained poor and indebted, and smallholder production has generally not increased enough to meet the demands of the rapidly growing population. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing Agricultural products constitute a large proportion of Malawian export revenue; the most important of these are tobacco, sugar, tea, and cotton. Tea is grown on plantations on the Shire Highlands; coffee is produced mostly in the Shire Highlands and in northern Malawi, especially in the northeastern Viphya Mountains, and near Rumphi and Misuku. Tobacco, Page 13

14 by far the most important export, is raised largely on the central plateau on large estates and by smallholders in various parts of the country. With the rise of worldwide campaigns against smoking, however, farmers have been increasingly encouraged to diversify so as not to be wholly dependent on tobacco. Corn maize is the principal food crop and is typically grown with beans, peas, and peanuts groundnuts throughout the country by virtually all smallholders. Other important food crops include cassava manioc, bananas, pulses, sweet potatoes, and rice; chickens, cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats are raised. Although the major share of commercial crop production is on large estates, most farms are small, with the majority less than 2. Until the early s, smallholder cash crops were purchased and marketed solely by the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation ADMARC, which also dominated the fertilizer business. Because ADMARC kept a high proportion of the profits, this arrangement was to the disadvantage of smallholders, whose conditions improved little. Beginning in the early s, the government sponsored the development of several large timber and pulpwood plantations aimed at making the country self-sufficient in construction grades of timber; pine and eucalyptus have also been planted extensively in the northern Viphya Mountains to supply a large pulp and paper project in the region. In spite of this, forest plantations account for only a fraction of the total Malawian forest cover. The rapid rate at which wooded areas have been disappearing in Malawi is a source of grave concern. In rural areas, wood has always been used to provide fuel for cooking, and, as the population grows, more of it is used; in the urban areas, charcoal is the main source of energy, adding more pressure on woodlands. The heavily dominant tobacco industry has resulted in further denudation of forests, as trees have been regularly felled both as timber for the construction of sheds to dry or cure the crop and to fuel the curing process itself. Another source of the problem is brick making, which relies heavily on firewood to fire the kilns. The reduction of casual labour and the number of civil service positions at the behest of the International Monetary Fund IMF and the World Bank has meant forest reserves no longer have personnel to guard them from abuse. Fishing is practiced for subsistence as well as by artisanal and commercial fisheries. The lakes and rivers of Malawi provide a diverse catch. Some fish are exported to neighbouring countries. Since the late 20th century the fish population has dwindled because of overfishing, the use of nets with a mesh size smaller than those recommended by fisheries experts, and the disregard of the ban on fishing in the breeding season. In response, natural resources committees have been formed in lakeshore communities to participate in the management of fisheries and the enforcement of fishing regulations. Fish from the Shire River drying on platforms in southern Malawi. Some small-scale mining of coal takes place at Livingstonia and Rumphi in the north, and quarrying of limestone for cement production is also an important activity. Precious and semiprecious stones are mined on a small scale; these include agate, aquamarine, amethyst, garnet, corundum, rubies, and sapphires. Exploration and assessment studies continue on other minerals such as apatite, located south of Lake Chilwa; bauxite, on the Mulanje massif; kyanite, on the Dedza-Kirk range; vermiculite, south of Lake Malawi near Ntcheu; and rare-earth minerals, at Mount Kangankunde northwest of Zomba. Deposits of asbestos, uranium, and graphite are known to exist as well. Also under investigation are base metals, gold rutile, and ilmenite sands. Forests and woodlands cover about one-third of the country, and almost 4, square miles 10, square km are in state-controlled forest reserves. Most of the rivers are seasonal, but a few large ones, particularly the Shire River along its middle course, have considerable potential for irrigation and electricity generation. Power demands are met by hydroelectric schemes, including those at Nkula Falls, Kapichira, and Tedzani Falls, and by diesel plants. Page 14