Culture

People: Malawi is often called the "warm heart of Africa." because of the warms and friendliness of the people. Malawians typically live with their extended families in huts that are grouped together in villages. A spirit of cooperation prevails as family members share both work and resources.
The Malawi people are of Bantu origin with the ethnic groups including Chewa, Nyanja, Yao, Tumbuka, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian and European.
The Chichewa (Chewa) people forming the largest part of population group and are largely in the central and southern parts of the country.
The Yao people are predominately found around the southern area of Lake Malawi.
Tumbuka are found mainly in the north of the country.
There are very small populations of Asian and European people living mainly in the cities.
Music:The music traditions of Malawi are rich with cultural influences that include those of the Zulu Ngoni people from South Africa, the Islamic Yao people of Tanzania and others.
Most tribes have their own individual songs and dances. Common musical instruments found include drums, the mambilira, (which is similar to the western xylophone) rattles of different types and sizes, shakers which are tied to dancers' legs and arms and are often know as maseche.
To hear the National Anthem of Malawi visit... http://www.africaguide.com/midis/malawi.mid
To see the words to the National Anthem visit...http://www.nationalanthems.info/mw.txt
Art:Malawi produces various colourful arts and crafts which are handworked to a high standard. There are many craft markets spread throughout the country and along the roadsides.
Language: English is the official language and is very widely spoken, particularly in main towns, but sometimes also in remote rural areas.
Chichewa/Chinyanja is the common national tongue widely used throughout the country where, from 1968 until recently, it has served as the national language.
Of the other languages spoken in Malawi, Tumbuka is spoken by about 500,000 people in the north, and Yao is spoken by about 600,000 people in the south.
Religion:The Chewa people, who form the largest part of the population predominantly Christian/Protestant and the Yao people are mainly Muslim.
The religious groups in Malawi can be broken down aproximately as follow:
Protestant 55%
Muslim 20%
Roman Catholic 20%
for traditional indigenous beliefs and other minor religions 5%