Early this week, we celebrated Esther Maupa's graduation from Mwimba College of Agriculture! As promised, today we are sharing her full story of how she overcame challenges and achieved success! Read our latest blog article to get inspired by Esther's journey!
The Culture of Malawi: An Introduction to Malawian Proverbs
Author: Praises Padambo
The Culture of Malawi: An Introduction to Malawian Proverbs
Proverbs are a testament to the wisdom and insight of our elders, who have lived through joys and struggles and have distilled their experiences into these concise and powerful expressions.
In Malawian society, older generations are regarded as custodians of wisdom, proverbs, and wise sayings. They are the keepers of our cultural heritage, and their wealth of knowledge and experience is invaluable. Hold a conversation with an elderly person, and you are likely to be served with proverbs and insightful expressions that offer a glimpse into the wisdom of the ages.
These proverbs cover a wide range of topics, from relationships and community to wisdom and personal growth. They offer advice on how to live a good life, how to treat others, and how to navigate the challenges and opportunities that come our way. They are a reminder that wisdom is not just about knowledge, but also about experience, intuition, and insight.
In our upcoming blog series, we’ll delve into the world of Malawian proverbs, exploring their meanings, context, and significance. We’ll examine how these sayings have been used in different situations, and how they continue to influence our daily lives. We’ll also explore the cultural and historical context in which they were created, and how they reflect the values and beliefs of our ancestors.
Some of the first proverbs we'll explore are:
- Akulu akulu ndi m’dambo mozimira moto: Elders are the wetlands where the wildfire stops.
This saying would be used in a context where one is being encouraged to take heed of the importance of the elders’ wisdom. In literal sense, this means elders are like a swamp or water place that extinguishes fire. This emphasises on the importance of the elders who provide solutions to many challenges that one can encounter in everyday living. This encourages younger generations on the importance of consulting the elders in life’s different situations.
2. Pakadafunda padajiwitsa galu: The comfortable hunter/dog becomes the prey.
This proverb warns against procrastination, encouraging timely action to avoid missed opportunities.
3. Alidere nkulinga utayenda naye: It takes time to really know someone.
Take time to know someone before judging them. This proverb advises caution when forming opinions about others, encouraging a deeper understanding through shared experiences. It means for you to really know a person’s true character it requires that you spend some time with them.
4. Mwala ogudubuka suyanga ndele: A rolling stone gathers no moss.
The English version of this is a rolling stone gathers no moss. This proverb warns against constantly changing pursuits, emphasizing the importance of persistence and focus.
5. Mkuyu zodya ana zimapota akulu m’mimba: The child that eats too many sweet figs will give their parents a stomach ache.
This proverb serves as a warning. It would be used in a context where one is not listening to the leaders’ advice. It means the problems started by children end up affecting the elders or the consequences of children’s actions affect the elders. This proverb highlights the importance of listening to leaders’ advice, warning that ignoring their guidance can lead to problems that in turn affects the elders.
These proverbs offer a glimpse into the wisdom and values that have shaped Malawian culture for generations. They are a reminder that our culture is rich, vibrant, and full of wisdom, and that our elders are a treasure trove of knowledge and insight.
Join us on this journey as we celebrate the beauty of Malawian culture and the timeless wisdom of our elders. Let us delve into the world of proverbs and discover the secrets of our rich cultural heritage! Stay tuned for future blogs on Malawian proverbs in the coming months!
Share on:
The Orant Journal
We are proud to share an update on our Energy and Environment program, which aims to promote sustainable practices in Kaondo and surrounding villages. In this week’s blog article, we share about the progress we have made in introducing firewood-saving stoves, called Nkhuni Pang’ono, Moto! Meaning “Less firewood, A Lot of Fire.”
Orant’s spring fundraiser, Play for a Purpose: Bingo for Education Equality, is this week. Today we’re presenting you with a special edition of our blog highlighting not only the Orant education program, but also the support of our presenting sponsor, GeoShack, whose employees have sponsored 30 students over the past four years.
Today, we are excited to kick off our celebration of International Women's Day! We are honoring the incredible achievements of women worldwide, acknowledging the obstacles they face, and advocating for a more just and equitable society. This year's theme, "For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment," calls for collective action to unlock equal rights, power, and opportunities for all, ensuring a future where no one is left behind. At Orant, we're committed to empowering rural women in our community. Read our latest blog article to discover the ways we're working towards a more equitable future for all.
It's been a while since we last shared an update on our Mobile Outreach clinic, but rest assured that our team has been working tirelessly to deliver healthcare services to hard-to-reach populations. Despite the challenges posed by the rainy season, our clinic remains in full swing, with our team venturing out every day to bring medical care to those who need it most. In today's blog, we highlight the significance of our Mobile Outreach clinic during this rainy season, and its impact on the communities we serve.
It's been a while since we last shared an update on our Mobile Outreach clinic, but rest assured that our team has been working tirelessly to deliver healthcare services to hard-to-reach populations. Despite the challenges posed by the rainy season, our clinic remains in full swing, with our team venturing out every day to bring medical care to those who need it most. In today's blog, we highlight the significance of our Mobile Outreach clinic during this rainy season, and its impact on the communities we serve.
As the backbone of Malawi's economy, agriculture accounts for approximately 30% of the country's Gross Domestic Product. It is the primary source of livelihood for many rural Malawians, who solely rely on farming to make ends meet. However, the journey to a successful harvest is never easy for these rural farmers, who face numerous challenges that threaten their livelihoods. In this week's blog article, we delve into the current challenges facing Malawi’s rural farmers this farming season.
In today's fast-paced world, digital financial literacy is more important than ever. It is essential for saving time and resources, as most financial transactions have gone digital. This week, our Business Development program launched a digital financial literacy campaign, building on our previous "Hey Sister! Show me your mobile money" campaign. Read our latest blog article to learn more about this campaign and its impact on our communities.
These beaming smiles belong to our Tikondane Village Savings and Loan (VSL) group members, who have just harvested the fruits of their labor after a year of hard work and diligent saving. Through our VSL program, these incredible individuals have learned the value of saving, budgeting, and investing in the future of their families. Click the link below to learn more about how VSLs work and hear incredible stories from these women.
Meet Lester Mwalwenje, Orant's new Energy and Environment Program Manager. We are so excited to have him on board!