Chewa, Bantu-speaking people living in the extreme eastern zone of Zambia, northwestern Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique. They share many cultural features with their Bemba kinsmen to the west. In parts of East, Central, and Southern Africa, the Chewa people speak Chichewa, a Bantu language. From the late 1960s until the mid-1990s, the language was Malawi’s official language and is the most frequently spoken in the country. Although few people speak it, English is currently the official language of the nation.
There are two sizable clans among the Chewa: the Banda, who are revered and well-known as healers and mystics, and the Phiri, who are connected to kings and the nobility. The Chewa collectively uphold a rich cultural legacy that is essential to their existence and unity. Chewa mythology has endured in spite of Western influences and predates both European colonization and Christianity. The rich oral narrative of everyday life events like birth, death, growing up, gender roles, polygamy, and marriage—expressed via music and storytelling—is at the heart of the practices and beliefs of Chewa.
The Chewa of Chewa are predominantly a rural people, hence themes like fire, famine, drought, and rainmaking are important in their folklore. The majority of Chewa people still adhere to their own traditional religious beliefs in addition to Christianity, which was introduced to them in the 19th century.
The economy rests primarily on agriculture, major crops being corn (maize) and sorghum. Considerable hunting and fishing are done. When crops are sold, income from the sale belongs to the woman of the house.
Within a Chewa village the chiefs are a central unit of rule. Typical homes have numerous commodities that are purchased or obtained through bartering while utensils like lamps, chairs, oil, salt, mats for sitting, pots and pans, and jewelry are commonly seen within the homes of some villagers.
Chewa children are responsible for a number of important household responsibilities. They are also responsible for a number of cultural activities — and wouldn’t consider rejecting these responsibilities.
The Chewa believe that living things were created by God — Chiuta. During colonial time British and Portuguese missions have converted many to Christianity but at least one fifth (20%) of all Chewa are Muslims today. Despite the influence of Christianity and Islam a good number of Chewa still hold to their ancestral belief system.
One of the Chewa people’s most important and vibrant cultural events is the Gule Wamkulu, or “Great Dance.” This masquerade, which features ornate masks and costumes, is presented at a number of events, including harvest festivals, funerals, and initiation rituals. The Gule Wamkulu serves as a means of passing down cultural knowledge and wisdom from one generation to the next in addition to providing entertainment.
