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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The 'malipenga' dance in Nkhata Bay District
Author:Mpata, DanielISNI
Year:2001
Periodical:The Society of Malawi Journal
Volume:54
Issue:1
Pages:23-28
Language:English
Geographic terms:Malawi
Central Africa
Subjects:veterans
dance
Art, Architecture, Music, Drama
Malipenga dance
Traditional culture
history
imperialism
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/29779058
Abstract:The 'malipenga' dance owes its origins to the system of military parades and bands introduced to Nyasaland (present-day Malawi) in colonial times by the British officers of the Kings' African Rifles (KAR). When World War I veterans returned home to the Nkhata Bay District they organized their own 'governments', called 'bomas', in the form of a 'malipenga' dance movement. 'Malipenga' in Chitumbuka, Chitonga and Chinyanja means 'trumpets', properly the bugles of the KAR. Hence the derivation of 'malipenga' dances, because soldiers of a particular 'government' blow in unison many 'bugles' at the same time. 'Malipenga' is very much a social reality and activity, though there has been a slight decline in its performance since the Kamuzu political regime ended. [ASC Leiden abstract]
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