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Chewa Tribe

Chewa Mask History

The Chewa, part of the Maravi peoples, use their masks for Nyau Society performances at initiations, funerals, and other important events. The Nyau characters consists of over 100 different masks, and is constantly changing, since it often incorporates modern themes into its long tradition. The characters often involve reverse role-playing and the masks can be humorous in nature. Because the society is secret, it was banned by the British. This, combined with the Chewa preference for colors and designs that don’t appeal to Westerners, explains why you so seldom see them for sale.

History of the Chewa People

The Chewa Tribe did not originate from Malawi where they are currently located (see map to left) they migrated there from Zaire back in the year 1480. The first documented contact with the tribe was made by Portuguese explorers between the years of 1608 and 1667. (1) During the 1700's the area of Malawi became more inhabited by other tribes but the Chewa remained unagressive and continued to have peaceful relationships with those around them. Which allowed them to keep their culture alive and population high. This is seen in the way that the Chewa have had immense influence that this culture had, such as Chichewa (the language of the Chewa people) being the national language of Malawi. (2) During the 19th century the Chewa, along with other indigenous tribes, of the area were pressured by the missionaries and many of the Chewa were converted from their sorcery cults. The stipulations of the missions were that they cut all their ties with their culture including kin and were even burried in seperate graveyards.

Language:They speak a language called Chichewa, Chinyanja or Banti, which is one of the widely used languages of Malawi.

Daily life

The bulk of their economy comes from swidden or slash-and-burn agriculture. The main crops that are produced are corn and sorghum. They usually live in compact villages. The village hierarchy is lead by a hereditary headman and supplemented with an advisory council of elders. The Chewa people believed that all living things were created by God (they called Chiuta, or Chaunta) on a mountain named Kapirintiwa, during a thunderstorm. Presently, the mountain sits on the border between Malawi and Mozambique. Although they believe in the one creator God, they also believe that the spirits of men and animals come in contact with the living. They believe that the living and the spirits are in constant contact with each other through dance.

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