Absolutely the Warmest Heart of Africa!

by Tammy Mbendera

Most information you will find online will begin by telling you of the poverty of this country but that’s just a matter of dollars and cents (or kwacha’s and tambala’s)- get this straight right now- we are not poor! We are very rich indeed. This is evidenced by how much we love Malawi.

It’s embroidered in our lifestyle. We are a fine people. We haven’t made many global headlines (Madonna not included) and we are yet to sink oil wells in the lake (American oilmen have been sighted trawling the Lake of Stars haven’t you heard?) but no one can deny once they’ve been within our borders, that Malawi, like our slogan suggests, is the happiest place in the world! I’m not even exaggerating. Very rarely have I met a people such as ours and that’s not to say I’m boasting, although perhaps I might be tempted to.

An East African friend admitted that after a year in Malawi she has adopted the Malawian habit of greeting strangers on the street, shops; in fact everywhere and very warmly too. Try it, especially when you get on a minibus in Malawi. However, I will forewarn you of a few surprises;
- Although the law is to seat three passengers per row, you will most likely be wedged in a gap on the co-joining metal of the third seat as the fourth passenger and remain uncomfortable for most of your journey. *hint* The second you see the passenger in the front seat get off the bus, take their place with haste! When you get the hang of it, you’ll know why.
- If you miss your stop, you’ll pay twice the fare.
- The heat, the noise, the potholes will probably all have a pretty exhausting effect on you, carry sustenance supplies -drink lots of water.

But make no mistake; although caught in the chaos and bemused or confused in the culture-shock, you’ll notice something different. There’s a great sense of unity… that understanding between the driver and all the passengers. Like you all know and acknowledge that the common cause is to get to your destination. It’s never so much a bus journey as it is a carpool experience. Here in Africa, we don’t notice it very much because it was something most of us were raised with, we grew up in that environment and so it comes pretty naturally, but speaking as somebody who has been away from this beautiful continent myself and now seeing things through the eyes of a tourist, it’s a significant trademark we present! I almost feel obligated to thank the driver and the conductor for their hospitality and the passengers for their contributions after every bus journey!

The thing about being in this culture that gets me, is one is never alone, be it on your way to work in the small hours of the morning or in the middle of a busy market on a Sunday afternoon, yes, even in your own homes and communities, the neighbours will always know what you are doing and where you went out, what time you will be home and what you had for dinner. Sometimes it gets annoying, and frustrating, sometimes you really just do need your privacy, but the greatest thing about being a part of one big happy family, is that when times do get tough, when you slip and fall, when you hit a wall, when you are in the direst of straits (if that is an expression), it is this very same community that comes around. Malawi is not just a part of Africa; we are the very heart of this warm continent

“Kuthyola Dansi Limodzi” That is our Lake of Stars tag this year. It roughly translates as “Joining the party as one.” When you’re new to this culture, you’ll discover the value of this unity and what it encompasses. You will not see the sights or hear the music dance and celebrate the lake and the stars, you will not just take away memories, photographs and souvenirs, you will embrace the experience, leave with a different spirit. And more likely than not, next year, you won’t come back alone. WE will… Together!

Wrap it up!

by Tendy Kishindo

In the Malawian culture the wrap or chitenje is like lip gloss. You just cannot go anywhere without it. It is the ‘it’ accessory. The older generation will tell you that by social etiquette, it is lady-like to have a “chitenje or nsalu” in your bag at all times.

The chitenje is a very versatile fabric. It is often seen as the perfect traditional gift that husbands give their wives and children, their mothers. Most African men in general agree that the chitenje is an aphrodisiac. The chitenje compliments the woman’s curves especially her behind which has been compared to the beats of a rhythmic African drum. An allusion to the women’s hip sway and bottom shake as they walk. On the flipside, men can also wear the chitenje on very hot days, but this is not always a familiar sight for Malawian men.

For most women, the chitenje is a life saving loose material. If a traditional Malawian woman is not wearing her chitenje then it is probably in her hand bag. It is carried in case of eventualities, such as finding yourself at a funeral, or if you are to sit down in a place with no chairs. In this case with a chitenje in hand, all you need to do is to take it out, and you are covered.

The chitenje apart from being used as a wrap, it can also be used as a sarong. This can be very handy in summer when you literally have less clothing on you. It can also be worn as a halter dress, a boob tube, a wrap skirt, a head wrap and a beach towel. In desperate times, believe it or not the chitenje can be used for sanitary purposes.

On a cold night, the chitenje can be used as a blanket, for that little warmth needed. On a spontaneous romantic act however, the chitenje can be that bed of roses to lie upon or your basic picnic blanket. For the maternally inclined, the chitenje can be cut up into strips and be used as diapers.

Another great thing about the chitenje is on a rainy day and your hair is all done up and you don’t want it to get wet, you can use the chitenje as an umbrella! Although it will not stop you from getting soaked, your hair will have been protected for a few minutes.
We all go through thrift days and creativity becomes the only thing that can rescue us. When this happens, the chitenje can be used as a carrier bag for shopping or as a make shift over-the-shoulder bag.

The chitenje is also a very good marketing or campaigning tool. This can be noted during political rallies, where yards of cloth gets printed sporting the faces or icons of the political leaders. It is more or less like your throw-on t-shirt but more elegant.
However you choose to wear or use your chitenje, one this thing is for sure; you have to get or buy one for the Lake of Stars Music Festival being hosted this year by Sunbird Nkopola Logde from the 15th to 18th October in Mangochi. For the chitenje, the brighter its colors, the better it is your trusted companion for any occasion. Will you be the one to stand out?

Nkhovo!!! The Roar of Nkopola!

by Norah Chavula



Sunbird Nkopola Lodge in Mangochi, Malawi, this year hosts the international Lake of Stars Music Festival. Its vast beach and campsite areas combined with its assortment of luxurious rooms and chalets are one of the lodge’s great guest pullers.

Apart form breathtaking views of natural scenery and landscaped surroundings associated with the renowned lodge, an aspect worth wondering about is what is behind the name “Nkopola” in the first place. I had a chat with the lodge’s General Manager, a Mr. Sylvester Ntambo who relayed an interesting account.

Apparently many years ago, about half a century past, located on the far side of the beach was a mini cave nestled amongst some rocks located at the foot of a mountain. These rocks were close to the Lake Malawi shore line and tidal waves would consequently flow over the rocks. But on days that the lake got rough, the forceful waves would surge against the rocks and embedded cave with such force that the impact produced a loud”Nkhovo!” sound.

The occurrence as witnessed by inhabitants of the surrounding land of Chipoka Village then led to the mountain being labelled “Nkhovola” Mountain in reference to the sounds the waves produced against the rocks. Over time the pronunciation of the name changed to “Nkopola” Mountain, which has been used to this day and became home to the now famous Nkopola Lodge.

Today, the mountain, is the back drop for the lodge’s campsite area and the once upon a time huge rocks have due to exposure to the evolving climate reduced in size that even the “Nkhovo!” Sounds are no longer heard. However, picture on location at the Lake of Stars Festival, the beach bars, stage performances and party crowd filled ambience with the sun’s energising rays on your back, vibrating sand at your feet. Classic combination of a tailor-made catalyst that’s bound to induce ‘’sound’’ waves that once again resurrect that “Nkhovo!” sound from the rocks - Lake of Stars style!

Langamaye!!!!

by Tendy Kishindo

Langamaye is a group of eclectic and talented musicians from Malawi and Reunion Island. The group formed in May at Tempo Festival 2009, collaboration between Stanley Mambo (a vocalist, Mbira/ Timbila player and percussionist) for Mwezi Arts in Malawi and Christophe Durand (a vocalist, Ngoni player and percussionist) for Woba Kele in Reunion Island. Langamaye is a word in Reunion Island dialect meaning “mixed languages.”

The duo is accompanied by Christian Hache (Indian Flutes player and percussionist for Woba kele) and Jon Munthali (Acoustic guitar, piano and percussionist for Mwezi Arts). The band is a fusion of Acoustic traditional instruments and beats such as Maloya, Sega (Reunion), Vhimbuza/ Manganje/ Chopa and Beni (Malawi), Mbira (Zimbabwe) with modern reggae, hip hop, rap, rhumba, township and urban grooves that create a supremely groovy 21st acoustic music breed. Langamaye music’s is also unique in that they sing in different languages giving their audience a piece of belonging wherever they are.

The group uses the historic link of their cultures to create a platform for exchange through workshops with professional and aspiring musicians. They also work with schools as a grassroots outreach program. This October, Langamaye will be at Lake of Stars hosting the Acoustic Stage. The music festival starting on the 15th to 18th October at Nkopola Lodge, Mangochi, Malawi, will be also be showcasing Tommy Ludgate (an international vocal training coach from the UK), the Makambale Brothers, Concerto Grosso, Black Monkey Acrobats and Traditional dancers.

Malawi Delicacy-Mice Kebabs!!!!!!

LOVING IT! MICE KEBABS AND ME

TENDY KISHINDO

Malawi not only has diverse cultures in its three regions, it’s also the home of many great delicacies one of which is the field mouse. As you drive along the M1 road travelling either from the northern tip of Malawi to the southern tip or vice versa, you will always find young boys holding out little sticks that look like kebabs. Now one might be confused as to what exactly they are holding out, the boys are selling ‘nyama ya m’munda’ which literally translates ‘meat from the garden’ or as I love to call them ‘mice kebabs!’

Ordinarily meat does not come from the garden, for that’s where you grow vegetables, but this is where the mice burrow. Like rabbits, deer and other types of game, the field or garden mouse is hunted with great zest and agility for the mice are rather quick and clever at escaping. The hunters first build a trap during the daytime outside the burrow, and wait for nightfall for the hunt. When caught, the mice are prepared, salted and sun dried. Some like to take it up a notch and prefer to use chilies to add a little bite to this crunchy delight.

The mice can either be cooked or roasted on an open fire depending on your fancy. When prepared well, mice kebabs have been compared to biltong. Biltong is sundried beef or game meat. When roasted the kebabs are a deceitfully-hard-looking meat that just melts away in your mouth with a surprising crunchiness. And when a beer is added, the chemistry is complete. However, when cooked, the gravy is divine, and nsima, the national staple, is the recommended accompanying dish.

The mice kebabs will leave you with a taste of

Malawi you will never forget. The kebabs are by far a mouthwatering delicacy for me, and a joyful discovery for food lovers as I am sure you would agree when you try them. So this year as you drive to Lake of Stars in Mangochi, do not hesitate to stop and buy some, never mind the haggling and the many hands with mice kebabs being shoved in your face, that is part of

the whole adventure and fun that is the Lake of Stars experience and our team will be more than glad to have them prepared for you. Happy discoveries!