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Having a population of about 13, 603,181, Malawi is the home of varied ethnic groups like Chewa, Tumbuka, Nyanja, Yao, Lomwe, Sena. The Malawi people communicate in different languages which include Chichewa, Chinyanja, Chiyao, and Chilomwe. The Chichewa language is used by 57.2 percent of the Malawi populace. Apart from Chichewa, Chinyanja and Chiyao languages of Malawi are also extensively used by the Malawi people. The Malawi culture is a blend of many cultures since it houses various ethnic groups.
The Malawi people are generally farmers. Various kinds of fruits like pineapple, guava, mango, carrots, green peppers, cabbage and many types of vegetables are produced by the farmers of Malawi. Gardens, where different kinds of fruits and vegetables are harvested are one of the prime sources of income of the Malawi people.
Malawians living in cities does not have the privilege of farming so they return back to their ancestral home for harvesting the land. The Malawi people live in houses made up of thatched roofs and unbaked bricks. The huts have mud flooring and to give it a good external look, the women of Malawi decorate the house with different colors of river clay.
Chitenji is a very popular clothing of the Malwi women. This fabric forms a very important part of the Malawi culture since its uses are varied. The Malawi ladies wear it over their skirt using it as an apron.
Apart from being a favorite cuisine, Nsima (maize porridge) is the essential food of the Malawi people. Tasty patties are made out of this and served to the people with beans, vegetables or meat. The other preferred foods of the people of Malawi are rice, potatoes and cassavas, though rice is regarded a luxury. Chambo, Mlamba (catfish), Usipa, and Kampango are the various types of fishes available in the market. Nsima along with cooked fish is a favorite item of the Malawi people.
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