Cultural Practices of Northern Malawi

“Cultural Practices of the North”
A Session with Webster Moyo, a Home-Based Care Supervisor

Chokolo – wife inheritance. A man inherits the spouse of a deceased immediate male relative. Widely practiced among the Timbuka people. Since rougly 1995, the practice has gone underground and now is only practiced in secret. The practice helps facilitates the spread of HIV.

Ingoma – traditional warrior dance of the Timbuka people. Dancers hold both a metal-tipped spear and an animal skin shield.

Mitala – polygamy. A practice of having two or more wives. Common amongst N’goni people in the North and the Yao in the Southern region, and amongst Muslim communities. This practice increases the risk of HIV infection.

Vimbuza – dance of the Timbuka people. A “mad spirit” dance. Performers dance in a way to expel the evil spirits. Performers drink goat’s blood in order to provoke the spirits.

Chimbwe – hyena. A man hired to have sex with the wife in an infertile couple. The chimbwe is mostly commonly hired by the parents of the husband. The practice is done in secret.

Mbiligha/Skazi – a man is given a second wife by wife’s parents. The additional wife is generally a younger sister or a cousin. The practice is done out of gratitude’s on the parent’s behalf, a celebration and arranged between parents.

Midawuko – the period after a woman has given birth where she stays with a female in-law to avoid sexual contact post-partum. Common belief that parents who have sex when the child is young may disrupt the child’s growth. This practice can last up to two years, health officials advocate that the period should last only 6 weeks.

Kamusuwizgo – a “snack,” an extra-marital relation going on in the absence of a partner. This practice happens most commonly between partners where one is working abroad, say South Africa or in the midawuko period. Women who take a “snack” while the husband is abroad are often accommodated by the brothers of the spouse.

Mwana wamama – type of traditional ceremony honoring an asiki, a friendship between families. The parents of one spouse invite the parents of the other to a large dancing ceremony to celebrate the union.

M’bwiza - A large dance happens lasting for an entire night; the dances feature male and female partners in union. A very promiscuous practice.