Nationalism in Malawi - Case Study Example

Colonial and Historical Experience of Malawi Nationalism is that phenomenon which stems from complete loyalty and love for one’s nation. Under the influence of nationalism, a citizen forms his personal sense of identity in context of the broad characterization of the nation. This consequently leads to mass identity along the same lines when like minded persons get together – a phenomenon better described as national identity. Reversibly, the identity of a nation is formed by the sentiments, attitudes and broad cultural assimilation under which its people function. The theories of nationalism and national identity are complementary to each other, and these inspire entire generations. Two strong factor that influences nationalism is a legacy of colonisation along with the ethnic groups. These factors, when combined provide a series of influences on the culture, historical experience and other such aspects of a nation or a state. This is due to the fact that the effect of colonisation is most seen on the evolution of ethnic groups. This is of special importance when studying a state in Africa, where ethnic groups and tribes are of paramount importance in the basic structure of the demographics. This paper deals with the colonisation of Malawi and its historical experiences in this context. The paper follows the following structure: Definition of Ethnic Groups in general. The very essence of Ethnic Groups in the definition of existing world cultures has been touched upon. Character of Nationalism in Malawi. Definition of Malawi’s Ethnic Groups in particular. The Ethnic Groups in Malawi have been defined in terms of their philosophy and ethics. Pre historical implications of the Malawi Ethnic Groups. Colonisation and the effects of the same. The invasion by the first European settlers towards 1859, has been discussed as a strong context for the explanation as to why the Ethnic Groups have been treated as outsiders in Malawi. Modern industrial activities and effects on Ethnic Groups in Malawi. The various modern day activities like mineral exploitation as well as industrial expansion that have been strongly contested by the Ethnic Groups have been discussed. Discussion of restoration of rights. The role of the Government has been discussed so as to throw light on the evolution of various legislations that support the rights of the residents of Malawi. The character of conflict and social movements in Malawi. Malawi First founded in the 16th century by the Chewa people, Malawi is made up of the earliest tribes like Bantu, as well as the Luba, Ndwandwe, KwaZulu Natal, Ngoni, Sena, Tonga, as well as a variety of Asian and European groups. Ethnicity is of paramount importance when studying the historical experiences of Malawi. It has a strong link with colonization. The beginnings of colonization took place in Malawi following the discovery of this African state by David Livingston in the year 1859. (Thomson, 2004) This was closely followed by the first batch of Scottish Presbyterian churches that established missions in the area. This was followed by the establish of a consul of the British Government in the year 1883, which was affiliated to the “King and Chiefs of Central Africa”. By 1907, the Nysaland Protectorate was established and similar developments later, Banda was sent to the Gwelo Prison in Southern Rhodesia in order to put a stop to his anti British political activities. Following its victory in 1960 for a new legislative council, the MCP was given self governing status by Britain and Banda, after being released in the same year was made the President in 1963. (Bureau of African Affairs) Nationalism Context Here it may be pointed out that the historical and colonial experience of Malawi is incomplete without nationalism. Nationalism remains an important issue in the modern Malawi. In the contemporary Malawi, nationalists usually hold significant veneration of the flag of the Malawian Republic and other national symbols, while other cultures tend to regard this mentality with hostility, giving rise to anti-Westernism. (Jarrell, 2006) Although the Republic of Malawi is usually regarded as a nation-state, supporters of African exceptionalism may prefer to see it as a state bathed in the glory of its own unique light. The state clearly has a sense of national identity and history. Thus, patriotism is prominent in public life. Nationalism is the appropriate and recognized term for the associated ideology and political movements, within the present Republic of Malawi, and during its history. That does not necessarily correspond with current usage of the term in Malawian politics, or with the views of self-described Malawian nationalists. (Spear, 2003) Historical Context A wide variety of new historians has linked the past more strongly to the present. According to this new breed, the past is unknowable. History reflects the need of historians to make sense out of their own worlds. Opening the practice of history to groups previously excluded from the profession has demonstrated the validity of the recent views. Views of the past vary with generations and because of divergent experiences from the historians sex, ethnicity, class, and race. When we read history, we are reading a particular historian’s encounter with the world. The historian is devoted to the facts. He or she spends years of his or her life studying the archives. The historian believes that his or her story represents reality. Historians can be characterized by nationality, school of thought, or theoretical and methodological preference. (Jarrell, 2006) Ethnic groups have been described in the study of history and anthropology as the indigenous people of a certain geographical location. These people are the precursors of the particular national identity as well as the ethics, culture and elements of sub culture that have come to dominate an entire race and country. In fact, the word ‘Ethnic Groups’ signifies people who have lived in a certain place ‘from the beginning’. These people are the ones who render religious and cultural significance to long standing rituals practiced even today. (Jarrell, 2006) The study of culture and evolution of the human ethics and lifestyle can be studied through an analysis of aboriginal society. The complex of values and thoughts that go into the creation of human culture is well depicted in the analysis of Malawi’s Ethnic Groups. This evolution was marred by the colonial encounter that they suffered in the 19th century. Yet, the rich legacy that they have left behind is an important part of the traditional fabric of Malawian living and culture. (Spear, 2003) The above words demonstrate the fact that colonisation has been the root cause of creating a rift between traditional beliefs and the evolution of human culture in the ethnic society in Malawi. The evolution of myths and other such practices into the beginnings of a more modernised society was brought to a halt by colonisation, which quashed any scope for imbibing the traditional values into the evolution of a more modern society in Malawi. While the lack of traditional values renders any society incomplete, it may also be seen, as depicted in the above words, that the full stop to the this activity rendered the values and ethics of the Ethnic Groups in Malawi as irrelevant for times to come. (Thomson, 2004) This was basically due to the fact that Malawian society as a whole enjoyed the contact with the invaders and colonial values and thus began to imbibe the same. Further, any invader begins by ousting the existing power. The European settlers turned colonial rulers, did this in Malawi and thus rendered the ethics and values of the Ethnic Groups as null and irrelevant. With the ousting of the Ethnic Groups to the distant forests, the Europeans began to exert greater pressure on the people around and thus the European way of living and values began to take over. Yet, these have ceased to be an important and all pervasive element of the fabric of life as enjoyed by the modern Malawian. The values and traditions of the Ethnic Groups have become a more integral part of the state following its freedom. It may be seen that prior to such activities, the Malawian prehistory was a matter of the passing down of a rich heritage. This lends credibility to the fact that the values and beliefs followed by the Malawi Ethnic Groups are in fact authentic African fare. (Jarrell, 2006) Nature of Social Movement in Malawi A social movement is one that is punctuated with a highly idealistic environment with realistic parameters that set the stage for immediate results and emergence of future trends that will go onto dominate the structure and functioning of that particular society for generations to come. Issues like principles, revolutionary change and personal strength and a search for identity of a group of people or society, are synonymous with social movements. (Spear, 2003) For the measurement of success of any social movement, factors like skilful organisation, optimum use of resources and the identification of opportunities, are vital indicators. Literature has always been a strong medium to convey the ideas that are contained in social movement. In his book, The Origins of the Civil Movement – lack Communities Organising for Change, author Aldon D Morris demonstrates the advantages of organising one’s plan of action as well as the course taken towards achievement of goals with concerted efforts diverted towards coordinated action. When talking of the Birmingham Confrontation of 1963, Morris uses the example of the demands placed on Birmingham’s white power structure by Dr. King and the SCLC, such as lunch counters in downtown department stores, fair hiring procedures in retail stores and city departments, dropping of charges against demonstrators, and finally, the reopening of parks and playgrounds apart from the appointment of a biracial commission to look into the desegregation of schools. While this was the first step in a concerted action plan, the second step was to achieve a victory in order to bring the government to take a stand against racial discrimination besides serving as an example for black communities. (Morris D A, p. 250 - 274) This confrontation is marked by an organised integration of short tem and long range objectives. A systematically planned strategy brought it to a stage where it became a mass movement, therefore proving that organisation and timely mobilisation of resources helps gain and maintain momentum. These theories are of special importance when speaking of Malawi. The colonial experience in Malawi has been such that it has given rise to a variety of political and social outbursts. This was put to a stop following the arrest of Banda in 1907. The political motives have been a major influence on the social campaigns in Malawi. This has a strong nexus with the character of colonisation that has marked the state. (Thomson, 2004) Of late, though, it may be seen that the slump of the economy and the rise of factors like hunger and poverty have prompted the social movements to take on a more humanitarian character. Colonisation leaves any country or state in a slump. Like any newly independent state, Malawi too is struggling to overcome difficulties in understanding and linking matters of constitutional importance with those of hunger, poverty, unemployment and many other such factors. The human rights angle is another one that has caught the country in its grip following the rise of ethnic tantrums in the wake of identity crises that have risen following independence. A social movement does not end merely after gaining a certain result – the after effects are felt for times to come. (Spear, 2003) This has been the case in Malawi. After the fight for independence, it has had to take a stock of its resources that were heavily depleted in the social movement so as to make the best of the situation in terms of providing basic amenities. In this regard, as is the case with most countries and states, there were a number of losers in terms of entire communities. Thus, the cause of human rights in terms of real freedom for people suffering from these after effects has been sought in recent times. In 1993, with the new found status of forming a “government for unity”, following the victory of UDF’s presidential candidate against the MCP candidate, the agenda of human rights in strong context of nationalism and the restoration of ethnic rights, seems firmly in place. (Jarrell, 2006) References: Bureau of African Affairs. URL: http://www.state.gov/p/af/ (Accessed during: February 2008) Aldon D. Morris. (1984) The Origins of the Civil Rights Movement. Collier Macmillan Publishers, London. Jarrell, Bee, B (2006). Malawi Moonsmoke: Changing a Part of Our World – One life at a time. Outskirts Press. Spear, Thomas (2003) Neo Traditionalism and the Limits of Invention in British Colonial Africa. Journal of African History; Vol 44 (Pp 3 – 27) Thomson, Alex. (2004) An Introduction to African Politics. Routledge. Read More