Malawis

Malawis is an informal plural referring to the people of Malawi. The widely accepted demonym is Malawians; in formal writing, Malawians is preferred, while Malawis may appear in everyday usage or certain contexts.

Malawi is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, bordered by Tanzania to the north, Zambia to the northwest, and Mozambique to the east, south, and west. The capital is Lilongwe. Lake Malawi forms a long eastern border and is a central feature for fisheries, transport, and tourism.

Ethnically diverse: Chewa, Lomwe, Nyanja, Yao, Tumbuka, Ngonde are among the largest groups. Languages: English is the official language; Chichewa is the predominant native language and widely used as a lingua franca; other local languages include Chinyanja, Chiyao, Chitumbuka.

Historically, Malawi was a British protectorate called Nyasaland. It gained independence in 1964 and became a one-party state under Hastings Banda, transitioning to multiparty democracy in 1994. The country is a constitutional republic with a president serving as head of state and government, and a unicameral parliament.

Economy is largely agricultural; maize is a staple crop, with tobacco, tea, and sugar as important exports. The economy remains vulnerable to climate shocks and power shortages. Development challenges include poverty, health, and education, though progress has been made in literacy and health services. Culturally, Malawians honor traditional music, dance, and cuisine, notably nsima with fish.