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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.
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.