Malawi's Emerald Islands

One of the world’s best hidden treasures lies in the warm heart of Africa. They are the materialization of the words paradise, beauty and tranquility. These are the islands of Lake Malawi. These priceless treasures are handcrafted by the sheer force of Mother Nature. One of the world’s well known geological wonders gave birth to these emerald islands, the African Rift Valley.

The East African rift valley that tears down to the very heart of Africa created a void, an abyss within this landlocked country. This crater is is no longer barren and desolate but it is Lake Malawi, the Lake of Stars, which cradles these spectacular emerald wonders. There are a few well known islands and dozens of smaller islands scattered across the crystal clear turquoise waters. Some of the islands are so remote that few people have ever had the chance to glance at the untouched beauty.

These type of fresh water islands are found nowhere else and are home to fish species found only in Malawi, thus the Lake Malawi National Parks was founded. This National Park is home to many hundred species of fish, nearly all endemic. The lake contains the largest number of fish species of any lake in the world, many of which can be seen snorkeling or driving near the islands. This was the world's first freshwater underwater Park. With the number of endemic found nowhere else on the planet, UNESCO declared Lake Malawi National Park a World Heritage site.

Photo From http://www.boomsbeat.com/articles/1627/20140325/the-third-largest-and-second-deepest-lake-in-africa-lake-malawi-photos.htm

Lake Malawi National Park is located at the southern end of Lake Malawi. The park includes Cape Maclear peninsula, three other disjunct mainland areas, 12 islands and lake waters that lie within 100 m of the park's terrestrial components. The park covers an area of 94.1 km2 of which 7km2 is aquatic zone. The environment varies from rocky shorelines to sandy beaches and from forests to swamps and lagoons. Apart from the Malawian Cichlids, there are also other animals such as hippo, baboon, monkey and elephant which can be seen on the mainland. There are over 12 islands, below are just a few.

In Northen Mangochi, around the Monkey Bay area, you'll find a cluster of islands. To the east you find Thumbi and Mumbo island.

Thumbi West and behind it Mumbo island

When the sun is setting on the golden sands of Cape Maclear, you will have a glimpse of the postcard scenery of the sun hiding away behind Thumbi island. There are actually two of these islands. There is Thumbi East and Thumbi West, they are either side of the Cape Pennisula. This is Thumbi West and it lies about a kilometer from the mainland. Behind Thumbi West is Mumbo island.

On Thumbi West Island

Mumbo Island

This island is simlply stunning. Virtually every picture taken of and on the island comes out perfect. Mumbo Island lies about 10km offshore from Cape Maclear. It is a beautiful deserted tropical paradise floating on crystal clear azure waters.

Photo From http://cawsmw.com/index.php/lodges/mumbo-island-camp/

 

 Just North of the Cape Peninsula is Domwe island. This island may have not been an island at all. From its  appearance it seems like it was the tip of the cape which broke away from the mainland but is ever so close. It is separated from the mainland by the narrow Ilala Gap. It is said that due to fluctuations in lake level over the millennia, the gap has been dry on several occasions, creating a passage to the mainland. As a result Domwe Island, unlike all other Lake Malawi islands, is well populated with mammals which have crossed onto the island during these dry times.                                    







The region of Salima is home to a group of islands called the Maleri archipelago. This chain of islands is one of the most well known on the lake.

The Maleri islands are a group of three islands that are visible just off the coast of Salima. The islands can be clearly seen from the port town of Chipoka in Salima.  The largest of the three islands is Maleri and it is about 168ha in size.

The second largest island is Nankhoma and it is about 65ha in size. This island is home to the Blue Zebra Island Lodge.

Photo by Marumbo Thindwa

Photo by Marumbo Thindwa

  

Nakantenga island is the smallest, only about 18ha in size.

Photo by Adrianus Franciscus Johannes Marinus Maria Konings

Besides these fairly small islands, there are much bigger giants floating on these pristine waters. The large islands are Likoma and Chizumulu. These islands are found in the Northern region of Lake Malawi, far east of Chintheche in Nkhatabay, closest to the Mozambique shore.

   Likoma is the larger of two populated islands in Lake Malawi. Together with Chizumulu island, it forms the district of Likoma. This island flaunts the historic Anglican cathedral of St. Peter, an airstrip, port and as well as the beautiful island resorts.

Chizumulu island is the smaller of the inhabited islands that make up the district of Likoma. The island has two large hills that seem to watch over it. From these hills you have some of the most amazing views of the landscape. 

In the waters of central Mangochi you have Bird Island. This Bird sanctuary can be seen from many of the coastal resorts.

Bird Island is actually far from emerald. From the mainland the island is virtually a blinding chalk white. The island is home to the biggest breeding colony of white breasted comorants in the southern African region. 

There are other smaller, more remote islands spread across the lake.

Mbenji

Photo by Adrianus Franciscus Johannes Marinus Maria Konings

Kande 

Chinyakhwazi & Chinyamwezi

Photo by Adrianus Franciscus Johannes Marinus Maria Konings

These two islands, thought barren as they seem, are probably two of the most important in the region. The islands are used as key points in the Malawi Yatch marathon (First leg) and beneath the shimmering waters, are home to a unique species of Cichlid. 

These are just a few of the spectacular scattered emerald islands. With breathtaking views, crystal waters and untamed beauty, who could resist. I believe you would not be disappointed travelling to any of them.

How To Make It Rain; A Malawian Ancestral Story of Mbona the Rain Maker

The Rain, some take it casually, not realizing how essential it is for life, but others know all too well that rain means survival. In Some places rain comes so frequent or so much that it is taken for granted or people wished it rained less often, and in other places rain comes so little or not at all that livelihoods are destroyed.

 In places where rain is crucial you'll probably find people of great faiths devoted to rain, the rainmakers and rainmaking cults. There are various cults around the world that practice or practiced some sort of rainmaking rituals. The native Indians of North America had rain dances and similar practices occurred and still do in parts of Africa including Malawi.

Khulubvi sacred shrine is located in Nsanje District, in the lower Shire Valley in Southern Region of Malawi, It is an important spiritual place among the people of Mang'anja tribe. It is a place where the Mang'anja worship the spirit of Mbona.

Mbona was a legendary rain maker with superhuman powers who lived in Nsanje. He had knowledge of medicine and magic, and he had a gift bestowed onto him from the heavens to govern the rains. Apart from bringing rain, he could also create wells of water on sandy lands, create forests where they did not exist and hide from enemies by turning into other creatures such as guinea fowls. He had a wife named Salima who almost always stayed in the compound, only visited by elderly women and children. She ventured on a few occasions to some villages assisting Mbona on matters of divinity.

Mbona's uncle Mlauli, who was also a conjurer resented his nephew and wanted to kill Mbona because of his extraordinary abilities. Mlauli, however, failed to kill his nephew because Mbona wished to die on his own accord. He told Mlauli and his enemies to cut his throat with a reed after other weapons had failed to harm him. Thus this was his was his fate. It is said that His head was cut and placed at Khulubvi sacred grove.

Mbona's shrine lies in the Sacred Khulubvi grove in Nsanje, protected by the shrine guardians. Mbona's head is said to have been entombed on the floor of his hut. The shrine is never cleaned or swept. Only those of the Mang'anja tribe are allowed with permission from the guardian. The sanctuary is sacred ground; no one can cut down any tree, plant any crops or let their cattle graze. 

There a number of huts in the area, but most importantly includes Mbona's hut and close to that his wife's hut Salima. After the death of Mbona she still played an important role, she would be visited at night by Mbona in the form of an enormous python and he would tell her the future, so as to inform the village of what to plant and what not to. She would communicate to the village via a trance like state, she was the oracle.

After her death the cult continued with succession of oracles. The ultimate responsibility for the cult lies with the Lundu paramount, who is to provide Mbona with a “wife.” This elderly woman, called Salima, lives in Khulubvi and communicates Mbona’s wishes received through dreams and possession. An outside medium may also perform this function, and local chiefs have subsidiary shrines. The spirits communicates via this medium and their lineages spans generations and there is a system of succession.

People came to worship, bringing with them black cloth or a black goat, an offering to Mbona in exchange for rain, water, life. Escorted by the chiefs and village headmen they went to Mbona's hut. After they returned home and finished the sacred rites the sky would rip open and the ground would be blessed by rain.

The Khulubvi and Associated Mbona Sacred Rain Shrines are a world heritage site (UNESCO).