The Chewa People

The Chewa or Chicewa are of Bantu origin and are a south-central African people group who reside mainly in Malawi with a scattering of people throughout Zambia and Zimbabwe. Originally from Zaire and Congo this people group moved southwards to escape disease and wars going on throughout the country.

History:
From the 1400's to the 1700's the Chewa had established and ruled over most of the predominate kingdoms of Malawi and it was during the early 1700's that the Portuguese came into contact with the Chewa. As other people groups have migrated to Malawi the Chewa have stood out and distinguished themselves from the others by their language, tattoos, and society's. The Chewa stand out in sharp contrast to other African cultures, and even in modern times have managed to retain and carry on the traditional aspects of their culture.

Religion:
The Chewa believe that god lives on a mountain on the border between Malawi and Mozambique. This god created everything and in oblivious recognition of his creation. The Chewa also hold t a form of ancestor/spirit worship in which through dance the spirits of men and animals intermingle and contact each other. A persons ability to dance reflects their spiritual ability and motivations.

Another integral part of connection with the spirit world in the life of the Chewa is participation in secret societies. A participant in these societies is known as a Gule. Especially during the month of July there is the peak season for the Gule. During this time young men who are Gules dress is animal or ancestral like costumes. When dressed like this they are considered to be in an animal state and no one should try to approach them. If by accident someone was to approach a Gule they would quickly drop money on the ground for them as protection against being taken by the Gule to the cemetery to undergo ritual rites.

Economy:
The Chewa are an agricultural based society, and farming is the primary income generator. The village headman or chief determines how much and where the land is dispersed among the people of the village, so the land's ownership is constantly changing. Maize and tobacco are the primary crops produced and used for sale.