Malawi

==Culture==
{{See also|Music of Malawi|Malawian cuisine}}
[[File:Drums exhibit, Blantyre Chichiri Museum.jpg|thumb|Musical instruments of Malawi]]
The name "Malawi" comes from the [[Maravi]], a [[Bantu peoples|Bantu]] ethnic group who emigrated from the southern [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congo]] around 1400&nbsp;AD. Upon reaching northern Lake Malawi, the group divided, with one group moving south down the west bank of the lake to become the group known as the [[Chewa people|Chewa]], while the other group, the ancestors of today's Nyanja, moved along the east side of the lake to the southern section of Malawi. Ethnic conflict and continuing migration prevented the formation of a society that was uniquely and cohesively Malawian until the dawn of the 20th&nbsp;century. Over the past century, ethnic distinctions have diminished to the point where there is no significant inter-ethnic friction, although regional divisions still occur. The concept of a Malawian nationality has begun to form around predominantly rural people who are generally conservative and traditionally nonviolent. The "Warm Heart of Africa" nickname is not due to the hot weather of the country, but due to the kind, loving nature of the Malawian people.<ref name="StateDept" />

From 1964 to 2010, and again since 2012, the [[Flag of Malawi]] is made up of three equal horizontal stripes of black, red, and green with a red rising sun superimposed in the center of the black stripe. The black stripe represented the African people, the red represented the blood of martyrs for African freedom, green represented Malawi's ever-green nature and the rising sun represented the dawn of freedom and hope for Africa.<ref name="Flag">{{cite web|url=http://www.fotw.us/flags/mw.html|title=Malawi|work=Flags of the World Website|author=Berry, Bruce|date=6 February 2005|access-date=22 September 2010|publisher=Flags of the World|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821101750/http://www.fotw.us/flags/mw.html|archive-date=21 August 2010}}</ref> In 2010, the flag was changed, removing the red rising sun and adding a full white sun in the centre as a symbol of Malawi's [[economy of Malawi|economic progress]]. The change was reverted in 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nyasatimes.com/2012/05/30/dpp-govt-blew-k3bn-on-flag-change/|title=DPP govt blew K3bn on flag change|newspaper=Nyasa Times|access-date=10 April 2013|date=30 May 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518233702/http://www.nyasatimes.com/2012/05/30/dpp-govt-blew-k3bn-on-flag-change/|archive-date=18 May 2013}}</ref>

Its dances are a strong part of Malawi's culture, and the [[National Dance Troupe]] (formerly the Kwacha Cultural Troupe) was formed in November 1987 by the government.<ref name="Turner24" /> Traditional music and dances can be seen at [[Initiation|initiation rites]], [[ritual]]s, marriage ceremonies and celebrations.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ntilosanje |first1=Timothy |title=Traditional dances of Malawi |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/traditional-dances-malawi |website=Music in Africa |access-date=25 June 2022}}</ref>

The indigenous ethnic groups of Malawi have a rich tradition of [[Basket weaving|basketry]] and [[mask]] [[wood carving|carving]], and some of these goods are used in traditional ceremonies still performed by native peoples. [[Wood carving]] and [[oil painting]] are also popular in more urban centres, with many of the items produced being sold to tourists. There are several internationally recognised literary figures from Malawi, including poet [[Jack Mapanje]], history and fiction writer [[Paul Tiyambe Zeleza|Paul Zeleza]] and authors [[Legson Kayira]], [[Felix Mnthali]], [[Frank Chipasula]] and [[David Rubadiri]].{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

===Media===
{{Main|Mass media in Malawi}}
* [[Television Malawi]]

===Sports===
{{Main|Sports in Malawi}}
[[File:BINGU NATIONAL STADIUM.jpg|thumb|[[Bingu National Stadium]] in [[Lilongwe]]]]
[[Association football|Football]] is the most common sport in Malawi, introduced there during British colonial rule. Its [[Malawi national football team|national team]] has failed to qualify for a [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] so far, but have made three appearances in the [[Africa Cup of Nations]]. Football teams include [[Mighty Wanderers]], [[Nyasa Big Bullets FC|Big Bullets]], [[Silver Strikers FC|Silver Strikers]], [[Blue Eagles FC|Blue Eagles]], [[Civil Service United FC|Civo Sporting]], [[Moyale Barracks]], and [[Mighty Tigers FC|Mighty Tigers]].
Basketball is also growing in popularity, but its [[Malawi national basketball team|national team]] is yet to participate in any international competition.<ref name=Gall>{{cite book |year=1998|editor1-last=Gall|editor1-first=James L. |title=Worldmark Encyclopaedia of Cultures and Daily Life|volume=1 – Africa|location=Detroit and London|publisher=Gale Research|pages=101–102 |isbn=0-7876-0552-2 }}</ref>

More success has been found in [[netball]], with the [[Malawi national netball team]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://netball.sport/events-and-results/current-world-rankings |title=Current World Rankings |publisher=World Netball |access-date=10 December 2021}}</ref> ranked 6th in the world (as of March 2021). Notably a number of players in the national team play in international leagues.{{cn|date=April 2024}}

===Cuisine===
{{Main|Malawian cuisine}}
Malawian cuisine is diverse, with tea and fish being popular features of the country's cuisine.<ref name=emb>{{cite web |url=http://www.malawiembassy.org/en/visit/food.html |title=The Official Website of the Embassy of the Republic of Malawi to Japan |website=Malawiembassy.org |access-date=9 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314022501/http://www.malawiembassy.org/en/visit/food.html |archive-date=14 March 2013 }}</ref> Sugar, coffee, corn, potatoes, sorghum, cattle and goats are also important components of the cuisine and economy. [[Lake Malawi]] is a source of fish including [[Oreochromis lidole|chambo]] (similar to [[bream]]), [[usipa]] (similar to [[sardine]]s), and [[mpasa]] (similar to [[salmon]] and [[kampango]]).<ref name=emb/> [[Nsima]] is a food staple made from ground corn and typically served with side dishes of meat and vegetables. It is commonly eaten for lunch and dinner.<ref name=emb/>