DIWALI In Malawi, Lilongwe
2nd – 3rd November 2013
An Indian cultural experience
I was invited by my Indian family to accompany them to the Diwali celebration on Sunday, 3rd November, ‘Festival of Lights’ (The Hindu New Year). I wore my first ever sari ever (see photos).
On arrival at the India Country Club, could not believe the number of Indians I saw/ living in Malawi, I felt I was Southall, in Hounslow/Wembley, unbelievable. Malawi has a large presence of Asians living in Lilongwe; the first groups are mainly first generation Asians originally from Indian and Pakistan, who have settled in Malawi, known as the Malawian Indians/Asians. The second groups of Asians are those from India and Pakistan but working in Malawi on contracts with Indian companies, returning to India/Pakistan at the end of their contract. The final group is associated to the first group, with family ties in South Africa, Kenya etc. The Malawian Indians/Pakistanis are the ones running the Malawi economy, owing a vast proportion of Real Estate buildings, restaurants, holiday resorts, guesthouses and retail shops.
I turned up in my borrowed Indian sari, knowing I would be the only black woman attending an Indian function, (apart from the black workers and maids) and wearing a sari. I wasn’t fazed by the stares I got, in fact I felt comfortable to be in their midst. One woman thought I was Indian! I received compliments from both men and women of how lovely I looked. I believe this is because I wore their attire with dignity, eloquently and with elegance, respecting their culture. I know I was secretly photographed and filmed. The same woman who thought I was Indian asked if she could take my photo to send to her family back in India. I am sure photos of me will suddenly appear on a social network site somewhere, might even be printed in the local Indian newspaper in Malawi or in India. May be someone, somewhere might like my photo so much he/she might send me a sari or two. Please do and I promise to wear them with dignity and with elegance as an Indian women.
The rain tried to ruin the evening, which caused many families to flee into their cars or simply return home. The entertainment was very much a ‘Bollywood’ style stage performance. Refreshment of vegetarian food, I which declined following my last episode of food poisoning eating only the Diwali sweets. The evening ended with a firework display for the children.
I have come all the way from the UK, to wear an Indian sari in Malawi, how amazing is this, another cultural experience. I am beginning to think my VSO placement has nothing to do with Continuing Professional Development (CPD), but instead learning about different cultures and adapting to them. With this experience, who knows my next placement might very well be in India.
The cultural experiences gaining in Malawi has inspired me to look into doing a Masters in Cultural studies at SOAS University, in ‘African, Asian and Latin American culture. I am currently looking into several options after my placement in Malawi, (1) to engage in teaching. (2). Go to Panama (South America) and work with orphans with an NGO based organization there, (3) return back to Malawi or request for a placement in the following countries, Papua New Guinea(PGN), Philippians or India.
Zikomo kwambiri for reading my blog.
Please continue to support VSO cause by going to my Just give site.
Next week I am off to Boadzulu, Mongochi near Monkey Bay for VSO Peer Support (Health), for 3 days.
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