Voices Ring Through Malawian Hills

I’m sitting in an empty district office on a Friday afternoon. Right outside my window, the whole town has come together to march, dance and sing; all of Machinga has essentially been paused while its people share some time together. Believe me when I say that their voices sound incredible, as they bust out one unique song after another, complete with acapella sections. How can they all know so many words!? One fellow tells me it is their way of thanking the recently elected MP, in hopes that she will represent all of their voices in the coming five year term.

Yesterday, there was something equally distracting, but incredible, outside the office window. Hundreds (if not a thousand) people from all over the district had gathered to wait together. They were workers in the recent election and helped to set up voting polls and count ballots. I talked to several of them and learned that they had not a moments sleep in the last two days. They were waiting here at the district offices for the stipend that was guaranteed for them by the federal government for their work. From eight in the morning until it was dark, they waited patiently – chatting, singing, just kickin’ it really. Today I talked to a man who said that some of the soldiers (a lot of which seem to be hanging out in Machinga lately – semi-automatic machine guns dangling from their backs) used force/fear to receive larger stipends than some civilians. A few folks are still waiting for their stipends out there this morning.

I don’t know if that fellow’s story was a true one or not, and I question the overall productivity of a town that drops all work to sing and dance together for a whole day. However, what has become very apparent to me is an intense sense of unity amongst the people. It is something that often lacks from Canadian culture. People rarely walk past each other without a greeting in Machinga. Life here is slow enough that people have time to realize that other people exist – something Canadians sometimes forget. Malawians walk slower; they look around. Sure, this culture plays a role in the degree of development of Malawi in comparison to Canada, but I feel like we could still learn something from Malawians, couldn’t we?

Machinga is BEAUTIFUL. Small, lush mountains (or really big hills – it’s your call) surround the area. The town is engulfed in huge overhanging trees, and red clay trails wind every which way. The houses are small but well kept. Most families have tin roofs, with the odd thatched roof mixed in. Right now there is an obscene number of wildflowers growing in the open spaces. Roosters, turkeys, and chickens roam free in town (and man alive there are a lot of them.) I’m working on finding the perfect morning/evening running trail... some of the trails behind town, into the hills, are baaaaaaaaalllllin! I’m almost scared to show you these pictures of the sights I see on my run.

O, I was going to mention that taking pictures has been super hard so far. To whip out an expensive looking camera in situations where you are interacting with impoverished people is an extremely awkward thing to do. Integration into this culture, and blending in as much as possible, are of utmost importance for a little while here. Though as I settle into Machinga (and just African life in general), it will be more and more comfortable taking pictures. I just need to make it a priority. Anyways...

OK, THIS IS THE MOST FRUSTERATING THING EVER. The internet cafe's connection won't upload my pictures... Tristan is there a better way to do this? Maybe I could post them on some site and then just include a link? Let me know. I have pictures.... I just can't show you them.

Take er easy,

Ian