A brief history of Malawi
The Republic of Malawi in southeastern Africa is a country formerly known as Nyasaland. Bordered by Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique, it is 45,560 square miles and has a population of almost 14 million people.
First settled by migratory Bantu tribes in the 10th century, Malawi has a long and interesting past. British colonies occupied the area in 1891 and in 1953 it became part of the semi-independent Central African Federation. This was dissolved 10 years later and Malawi gained its independence, and its current name, in 1964. Malawi now has its first female president, Joyce Banda, who heads the multi-party democratic government and has a small military force from the army, navy and personal view The country’s modern politics is pro-Western and representatives represent Malawi in many international organizations.
early history
The area that is now Malawi was home to a small population of hunter-gatherers before the Bantu migrated there around the 10th century. By 1500, these tribes established a large kingdom, but shortly after the turn of the century, the native members of the tribes began to meet Portuguese merchants and military personnel and trade and ally with them. Around 1700, the empire was divided into individual tribes.
Missionary physician and explorer David Livingstone reached Lake Malawi in 1859 and identified an area as suitable for European settlement. A number of religious missions were established in the region and in 1889 a British protectorate was proclaimed over the Shire Highlands south of the loch. In 1907 the protectorate was renamed Nyasaland and held onto until the end of British rule.
The Nyasaland African Congress was formed in 1944, and a few years later the country aligned itself with Northern and Southern Rhodesia in the Central African Federation. This lasted until 1963 and Nyasaland became an independent country under the name of Malawi a year later.
Politics
The Malawi Congress Party won a majority in the 1961 elections, and Hastings Kamuzu Banda became Prime Minister in 1963. With a new constitution, the country became a one-party state under MCP rule in 1966, and four years later Banda proclaimed himself president for life. He maintained a strong government for three decades, but the country’s economy, agriculture, and industrial development progressed impressively.
A referendum in 1993 saw the people of Malawi vote for a multi-party democracy. The life presidency was abolished and a new constitution was formed. Bakili Muluzi became president, followed by Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika. Vice President Joyce Banda is now head of state following Mutharika’s death of a heart attack in 2012.
Environment, economy and health
Malawi is one of the least developed countries in the world with an economy based on agriculture. The government relies heavily on foreign aid, which has dwindled over the last 12 years, leaving it facing daunting challenges to build and expand, improve health care and achieve financial independence.
Malawi’s population faces low life expectancy and high infant mortality rates. There is also a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. The population is diverse, with natives, Asians, and Europeans speaking different languages and practicing different religions.