2. History: Pre-colonial Period
Massive tribe migrations for hundreds of years
Between the 14th & 16th centuries, two main
tribes moved into Malawi, and still exist there
today:
The Tumbuka from the Congo moved into the
north
The Chewa from Zambia moved into the southern
region
3. Pre-colonial Cont.
The Yao invaded in the 19th century
The slave trade became a very big business
Although slavery already existed in the region, the
trade became international
Towns like Nkhotakota and Karonga were major
slave trade centers
4. The first Europeans to
arrive in Malawi were
Portuguese explorers
who ended up settling
Colonial in Mozambique.
Period The most famous
explorer that went to
Malawi was Dr. David
Livingstone
He named the area
"Nyasaland”
He went back several
times to establish
trade routes &
mission sites
5. Colonial Period Cont.
After the Europeans started trading heavily in the
area, the Arab-powered slave trade decreased
drastically
"Scramble for Africa”
The area became a British protectorate
European settlers moved in as trains and post
offices were established
6. Independence
-1915: Rev. John Chilembwe led a violent
uprising against white settlers who had taken
fertile farm land from locals
-In 1944, the Nyasaland African Congress (NAC)
was formed
-1958: Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda returned to
the area
Assumed leadership of NAC (which later became
the Malawi Congress Party)
Sent to Gwelo Prison for his political activities
7. Independence Cont.
1962: British gave Nyasaland self-governing
status
1963: Banda's party was elected
1964: Malawi got its independence from Britain
Banda was elected the first President of Malawi
8. Banda ruled Malawi for
over 30 years
Named himself
“President for life” in
1971
Banda Full economic control
Banned foreign press
“Banda is Malawi”
9. Banda Cont.
Survived several attempts to be thrown out of
office.
250,000 people were murdered or disappeared
in connection with the government during
Banda’s rule
Taken to trial for the murder of 3 government
officials after taken out of office.
11. Current Events
In November anti-gay laws were suspended
Massive protests have occurred in opposition to
the suspension
Police have been ordered not to arrest men or
women participating in same-sex relations
12. Current Events Cont.
2011 Protests
18 deaths, 98 serious injuries, 275 arrests
Government banned protesting after several weeks
Causes:
Power outages
Poor governing
Fuel shortages
Press freedom
Many others…
