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Below is a selection of questions the Embassy frequently receives from visiting school children. We hope that the answers will help you to better understand Malawi.
1. Origin of the name Malawi
The name "Malawi" is a Chewa word derived from a word "flame," adopted by ancestral immigrants when they looked down from the surrounding high plateau onto Lake Malawi, which shimmered like flames in the sunshine.
The idea of the name is also said to have been picked from a Maravi Kingdom that existed earlier on.
The country's name was subsequently changed from an already existing name of "Nyasaland" to Malawi.
2. How different are Malawians between tribes, etc?
There are minimal differences in culture, food and language.
3. What qualities are specially considered important in Malawi, ex. punctuality, individualism, etc?
Politeness, especially to elders and foreigners, are among important considerations in Malawi.
4. Your image of the following colors: green, blue, red, yellow, white, and black.
Color symbolism is not as important in Malawi's daily life as it is in Japan, except, as a recent development mostly in the political arena.
Three colors are symbolic in the Malawi National flag, which is composed of three horizontal stripes of black, red and green, with a rising sun superimposed on the black stripe. The black represents the people of Africa, the red represents the blood of martyrs for African freedom and the green represents the evergreen nature of Malawi.
5. Is there difference between life in cities and villages?
People in cities have access to modern facilities such as electricity and piped water, compared to villages. In general, facilities and services such as schools are better in the cities.
Life is generally more expensive in the cities.
6. Sumo is Japan national sport. What is the Malawian national sport?
Football (soccer) is considered a national sport in Malawi. In urban areas, other sports such as basketball, netball, and golf are available.
7. Britain used to colonize Malawi. Do you still have their culture?
Due to the colonization lasting over 70 years, Malawi's culture is mostly modeled on the British lifestyle. These include food, clothing, language, sports, and buildings.
8. Are there any specific foods which are not so popular among foreigners, such as natto in Japan?
Some food such as insects and small inland animals can be unpopular, especially to foreigners who are not familiar, exposed or experienced with inland food.
9. People in Malawi often have chicken for meals. How do you cook them, usually?
Usually people boil chicken, together with tomato, onion, and other ingredients fried in oil. Charcoal roasted chicken is also highly favored.
10. How does Lake Malawi associate with Malawian people?
Lake Malawi provides the people of Malawi with fish, one of the main dishes, and supports the growth of food products such as rice.
It also provides water for drinking, support for marine life, sports such as yachting, and an environment for recreation and holiday resorts.
11. What kind of fish or animals are there in the freshwater area, which is called the first freshwater sanctuary?
Lake Malawi boasts of over 5,000 species of cichlids, and is home to many fish, including the popular tilapia fish, locally known as Chambo.
The southern part of Lake Malawi is a marine national park, supporting a wide variety of fish, marine life such as crocodiles and hippos, as well as other animals such as elephants, zebras and lions.
1. Origin of the name Malawi
The name "Malawi" is a Chewa word derived from a word "flame," adopted by ancestral immigrants when they looked down from the surrounding high plateau onto Lake Malawi, which shimmered like flames in the sunshine.
The idea of the name is also said to have been picked from a Maravi Kingdom that existed earlier on.
The country's name was subsequently changed from an already existing name of "Nyasaland" to Malawi.
2. How different are Malawians between tribes, etc?
There are minimal differences in culture, food and language.
3. What qualities are specially considered important in Malawi, ex. punctuality, individualism, etc?
Politeness, especially to elders and foreigners, are among important considerations in Malawi.
4. Your image of the following colors: green, blue, red, yellow, white, and black.
Color symbolism is not as important in Malawi's daily life as it is in Japan, except, as a recent development mostly in the political arena.
Three colors are symbolic in the Malawi National flag, which is composed of three horizontal stripes of black, red and green, with a rising sun superimposed on the black stripe. The black represents the people of Africa, the red represents the blood of martyrs for African freedom and the green represents the evergreen nature of Malawi.
5. Is there difference between life in cities and villages?
People in cities have access to modern facilities such as electricity and piped water, compared to villages. In general, facilities and services such as schools are better in the cities.
Life is generally more expensive in the cities.
6. Sumo is Japan national sport. What is the Malawian national sport?
Football (soccer) is considered a national sport in Malawi. In urban areas, other sports such as basketball, netball, and golf are available.
7. Britain used to colonize Malawi. Do you still have their culture?
Due to the colonization lasting over 70 years, Malawi's culture is mostly modeled on the British lifestyle. These include food, clothing, language, sports, and buildings.
8. Are there any specific foods which are not so popular among foreigners, such as natto in Japan?
Some food such as insects and small inland animals can be unpopular, especially to foreigners who are not familiar, exposed or experienced with inland food.
9. People in Malawi often have chicken for meals. How do you cook them, usually?
Usually people boil chicken, together with tomato, onion, and other ingredients fried in oil. Charcoal roasted chicken is also highly favored.
10. How does Lake Malawi associate with Malawian people?
Lake Malawi provides the people of Malawi with fish, one of the main dishes, and supports the growth of food products such as rice.
It also provides water for drinking, support for marine life, sports such as yachting, and an environment for recreation and holiday resorts.
11. What kind of fish or animals are there in the freshwater area, which is called the first freshwater sanctuary?
Lake Malawi boasts of over 5,000 species of cichlids, and is home to many fish, including the popular tilapia fish, locally known as Chambo.
The southern part of Lake Malawi is a marine national park, supporting a wide variety of fish, marine life such as crocodiles and hippos, as well as other animals such as elephants, zebras and lions.