Chewa

The Chewa are a Bantu ethnic group in southeastern Africa, primarily found in Malawi, with communities in eastern Zambia and northern Mozambique. They are one of Malawi’s largest ethnic groups and form a significant portion of the central region’s population.

The Chewa language, known as Chichewa and sometimes referred to as Chinyanja in parts of Zambia and Mozambique, is a Bantu language widely spoken in the region. In Malawi it serves as a national language and lingua franca, while regional varieties are common in neighboring countries.

Historically, the Chewa are associated with the Maravi Kingdom, a centralized polity that existed in the region from roughly the 16th to 18th centuries and facilitated Chewa cultural influence across the area. Traditional social structure is clan-based and organized around age sets, with initiation rites and secret societies playing important roles in social and cultural life. The Kalonga is one of the royal and chieftaincy titles observed in some Chewa communities.

Culturally, the Chewa are known for the Gule Wamkulu, a masked dance performed by initiated men and linked to the Nyau secret society. This ritual, which conveys social and symbolic meanings, has been recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Heritage of Humanity since 2008. The religious landscape is mixed, with Christianity being the dominant faith alongside continuing traditional beliefs and asymmetrical influences from Islam in some areas.

Economically, agriculture is central to Chewa life, with maize as a staple crop and tobacco as a major cash crop in Malawi. Urban migration and education have influenced contemporary Chewa communities, while many maintain distinctive linguistic and cultural traditions.