Malawi - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

Description

Nicknamed “The Warm Heart of Africa,” “Land of the Lake,” and “The Land of Smiling Faces,” this small, landlocked country in southeast Africa offers travelers a true African experience. Within a single day, visitors can go on safari, enjoy sprawling tea gardens, and watch the sun sets over Lake Malawi, the third-largest lake in Africa and home to many rare species of fish. The country has nine unique national parks and wildlife reserves and has been home to many diverse African cultures, from the indigenous hunter-gathers to the incoming iron-working Bantu settlers. Dress, dance, masks, language, and traditional festivals all reflect waves of migrating tribes—those fleeing Shaka Zulu in the south, Swahili Arab slave traders in the east, and Bantu from Central Africa. Other cultural influences came through the slave trade routes, contact with Portuguese and Indian traders, and English missionaries who introduced Victorian-era buildings. This historic blend has produced a people who are strong, good-humored, conservative, traditional, yet adaptable, creative, loyal, and hard-working. Front Cover......Page 1 Title Page......Page 2 Copyright......Page 3 About the Author......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Map of Malawi......Page 8 Introduction......Page 9 Key Facts......Page 11 • Geography......Page 13 • Climate......Page 17 • Cities and Major Towns......Page 19 • The People......Page 23 • A Brief History......Page 27 • Present-Day Politics......Page 38 • Government......Page 40 • The Economy......Page 42 • Malawi in Africa and Beyond......Page 48 • The Malawian Character......Page 53 • Communal Life......Page 54 • Gender and Sexuality......Page 55 • Dress......Page 57 • The Extended Family and Community Sharing......Page 60 • Religious Tolerance......Page 62 • World Views, Traditiional and Modern......Page 63 • Attitudes Toward Time......Page 64 • Attitudes Toward Work......Page 65 • Resourcefulness and Thrift......Page 66 • Tribal Relations and Individual Identity......Page 67 • Attitudes Toward Foreigners......Page 69 • The Role of the Chief......Page 71 • Cultural Festivals......Page 73 • Public Holidays......Page 77 • Greetings and Courtesy......Page 78 • Birth and Baptism......Page 79 • Marriage......Page 80 • Funerals......Page 82 • Witchcraft and Supernatural Beliefs......Page 84 • Harmful Cultural Practices......Page 85 • Friendship......Page 87 • Nicknames For Foreigners......Page 89 • Communal Living......Page 90 • Transactional Sex......Page 91 • Mixed-Race Relationships......Page 93 • Conversations......Page 94 • Invitations Home......Page 95 • Housing......Page 97 • The Household......Page 99 • Demography......Page 101 • Who Earns What?......Page 102 • A Sense of Style......Page 103 • The Daily Round......Page 104 • Growing Up in Malawi......Page 106 • Education......Page 108 • Leisure......Page 111 • Eating Out......Page 113 • Nightlife......Page 116 • Sports......Page 117 • The Arts......Page 119 • Must-See Tourist Attractions......Page 120 • Arriving......Page 133 • Intercity Connections......Page 135 • Getting Around Town......Page 138 • Where To Stay......Page 139 • Health......Page 140 • Safety and Security......Page 143 • The Business Climate......Page 145 • Chinese and Indian Businesses......Page 146 • Dealing With Government and Public Agencies......Page 147 • The Business Culture......Page 148 • Setting Up Appointments......Page 149 • Meetings......Page 150 • Contracts and Fulfillment......Page 151 • Women In Business......Page 152 • Corruption......Page 153 • Forms of Address and Greetings......Page 155 • Body Language......Page 156 • Humor......Page 157 • The Media......Page 159 • Services......Page 163 • Conclusion......Page 164 Further Reading......Page 166 Index......Page 167 Acknowledgments......Page 169