Music Tradition of Malawi

The southeast African country of Malawi was a Bantu settlement in the 10th century, a British colony in the 19th century, and became an independent nation in 1964. A country of great cultural diversity, Malawi shares many musical traditions with its African neighbors of Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique.

This recording, made in 1991 and originally released in 1996, presents diverse Malawian traditions of storytelling through song and competition through dance, using native instruments like the ulimbaxylophone and bangwezither, showing Western influence with military march-style rhythms and formations.

Track Listing

101	Ulimba: Mama Wo Ulimba ensemble, Nthukuso Village, Nsanje District	03:45
102	Bangwe - Phumbwa, Pezera Mangulama Kutcha	02:07
103	Tchopa: Saulo Lomwe dancers and drummers, Januwale Village, Thyolo District	02:51
104	Mazoma: Mphini Nyanja singers and drummers, Chingondo Village, Zomba District	04:35
105	Nyakatangale Mayeso Petro Lawrence	01:13
106	Beni: Ayana Yao singers and drummers, Makokola Village, Mangochi District	03:38
107	Bangwe - Ellis Chitenje Tambala	02:46
108	Nkhwendo Amatengo-Ngoni performers from Chiphilira Village, Ntcheu District	03:28
109	Msindo: Uyaka, Kuwathanda a Ngwazi Ngoni girls and women, Lizulu village, Ntcheu District	02:45
110	Ngoma: Boya Boya Ngoni men and women, Lizulu village, Ntcheu District	03:45
111	Buyeni: Kamwana Kamwini, Kaya wiyo Ngoni girls and women, Lizulu village, Ntcheu District	04:13
112	Mganda: Chidindo cha jombo Chewa men, Tembo Village, Dowa District	03:37
113	Chimtali: Nasiwelo Chewa girls and women, Tembo Village, Dowa District	03:39
114	Chisamba Chewa girls and women, Tembo Village, Dowa District	02:48
115	Ingoma: Abafana bonkhe Ngoni men and women, Zulu Village, Mchinji District	03:10
116	Gule wamkulu: Akuluakulu adapita Chewa women's chorus with male drummers, Njombwa Village, Kasungu District	03:26
117	Mitungu: Bagholi bane bakale Tumbuka men, Mzimba District	02:58
118	Ingoma: Boye Boye Tumbuka men and women, Edingeni, Mzimba District	02:19
119	Vimbuza: Awoliyere mwana akulira Tumbuka women, Edingeni, Mzimba District	02:16
120	Visekese: Nthengwa wayimanya wekha Tumbuka women, Mdoyi Village, Nkhata Bay District	04:17