In Malawi, the holiday season is all about cultural traditions and community spirit. Unlike Western celebrations, Malawians embrace a more communal and cultural approach to the festive season.
Dancing holds a special place in Malawian holiday celebrations. For instance, colourful traditional dances, accompanied by rhythmic beats, bring communities together in joyous harmony. While some organise mini parties, giveaways and raffle draws, some take their personal time to visit different places of interest. Whether in urban centres or rural villages, the resonance of laughter and music fills the air.
To add to that, the holiday season becomes a stage for the sharing of stories and the passing down of cultural heritage especially during family gatherings. Whereas elders share their experiences and wisdom through tales, the younger generation pays attention to what is being said, preserving the essence of Malawian identity.
Even though gift-giving is also included, it takes on a personal touch, with handcrafted items, for example, bracelets /bangles, reflecting the skill and creativity of the community. These gifts surely serve as true expressions of love and connection, spotlighting the bonds that tie people in Malawi together.
However, there have been a circulation of reports and pictures on social media, indicating that many people were not seen in queues of big shops and banks in the towns of Lilongwe and Blantyre, shopping and preparing for the holidays. Some suggested that this may be so due to either devaluation or just that money is scarce. I, on the other hand, think that although to some it may look bad, it is a good thing that people are trying to save money for the tough months coming ahead. Christmas and New year's Eve is about having the spirit of the holidays and spending time with our loved ones and not spending money carelessly.
In essence, Malawi's holiday season is a celebration of unity and cultural richness. As different people will be making plans on how to spend and celebrate the holiday, stay safe at all costs and spend wisely. MGR wishes you happy holidays!
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