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Malawi music has been influenced by a number of cultures and therefore it exists today in its rich blended form. In Malawi there is the presence of a number of ethnic groups of which the Chewa form the majority. Besides Malawi people have traveled to many other countries in Africa. As a result Malawi music has from long been one that was characterized by music of other cultural groups.
Some of the cultural influences quite prominent in the Malawian music is that of the Zulu Ngoni people who are from South Africa and Islamic Yao people from Tanzania. Most of the tribal groups in Malawi have their own types of songs and dances. Some of the common musical instruments that are in use in Malawi include the mambilira, drums, and rattles. These rattles in Malawi are in a number of sizes. Besides, shakers are also used, and are tied to the arms and legs of the dancer.
The history of Malawian music reveals that during the post Works War 11 period, the guitar and the banjo were the dance bands that were very much known in Malawi. Both these instruments in Malawi had been imported.
The period of 1960's saw the kwela music of South Africa gain popularity in Malawi. At this stage even the Malawian jazz bands had been able to gain for themselves recognition. Following this, in the 1980's soukous from Congo became popular and soon led to the coming up of the kwasa kwasa which was the Malawian form of this music. Soon after this the gospel music in Malawi gained popularity.
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