tambala

The tambala is the monetary unit of Malawi. Its name derives from the Chichewa word for a drum, reflecting its historical importance in Malawian culture. The tambala is subdivided into 100 tambalas. The currency was introduced in 1971, replacing the Malawian pound. The plural form of tambala is also tambala. Currently, Malawian kwacha is the main currency, and tambala is its subunit. Coins denominated in tambalas are no longer in circulation for everyday use, having been largely superseded by higher value kwacha denominations. However, the tambala subunit remains the official fractional unit for accounting and financial transactions within Malawi. The tambala's history is intertwined with the economic development of Malawi since its independence.