Zikomo, Madisi

One of my reasons for coming on the Race was to learn and embrace the people and their culture. I have greatly enjoyed learning from and about the beautiful people, language and culture here in Madisi, Malawi. As someone who also comes from a tribe and has a language it’s been amazing to see others around the world share that same connection. I came in knowing little to nothing about Malawi, but I am so glad the Lord placed me here.
This month we have had the pleasures of loving the Chechewa people of the Dowa District. They love to dance, sing, chat and joke. They have a smile and laugh that can light up a room and the people we have gotten to know intentionally seek out conversations. It’s so amazing to hear their humor and I hear myself genuinely laugh because I think what they have said is hilarious. For example there was a moment we all laughed hysterically because they thought a bonfire was a bone fire. With that title they started to throw their goat bones into the bonfire and started calling it a bone fire. Once we told them that wasn’t what it was called we all started to laugh and ended up throwing our goat bones into the fire. I laughed so hard that night. There are so memories being here in Malawi.

 

Learning the language and being able to speak to the people who do not know much English changes a person’s face expression instantly. They look at you with awe stricken eyes and know that they have been noticed and seen. They smile and respond in their language and leave with a smile that brings me joy.

It has been so cool to embracing their language and culture. To see people give glory and praise to God with their culture and language is something beautiful. At church the people sing their hearts out and praise the name of Jesus. They use their gift from God to give all the glory to Jesus! That’s amazing!

 

Phrases/words that I have commonly used are (some words are not spelled correctly as spelled in the language):

Mulibongy- how are you? (Respectful)
Oolibongy- how are you? (Friend)
Tee No Bueno Kiyo- I am fine, and you?
Ohkongora- beautiful
Zikomo- thank you
Zikomo kwombili- thank you very much!
Entango- tree
Covina- dancing
Peely- mountain