Botanical garden

Text Box: The Kungoni Centre attempts to fully integrate into the life and environment of Mua. The beautiful gardens around Kungoni are a reflection of that integration the botanical garden is a reminder of the myths concerning the origin of life. Kungoni aspires that all its activities will focus on the harmony between God, mankind and nature within the whole of Creation. We cannot destroy the environment with impunity for it is the very foundation upon which depend our culture and values. Malawian society is agrarian and earth-based with 85% of the population living on the land. Improper treatment of the environment has dramatic consequences. Cutting trees without planting new ones or renewing seedlings, threatens not only the plants and natural ecosystems but also the lifestyles and indeed the survival of most of Malawi’s people.

Threes and shrubs

Showroom

Camping site

Proverbs, carved poles and toilet

Carving workshop

Text Box: THE MYTH OF KAPHIRINTHIWA There was no rain. The earth was dry and sterile. Then God-Namalenga (the Creator) gathered the clouds together and God-Mphambe (the Lightning) made the fire flare in the sky and thunder roar in the mountains. Rain fell and wind swept the Kaphirinthiwa Mountain leaving a clean, soft surface. God-Chauta (the Big Bow) cast His rainbow across the sky, touching the clouds. In the pouring rain, He came down from the sky with all the animals and the first humans. Man and woman came with tools, given to them by God. Man carried a hoe and an axe to cultivate the land, and woman a pestle and mortar to prepare food for the family. Plants and trees grew big and strong and formed the bush of the Kasitu, the sacred grove, where the mother shrine of the Chewa prospered. The rain created streams full of fish and three rivers, the Lilongwe, the Diamphwi and the Mpomvi flowed from the sacred grove. In the soft surface of the ground, the footprints of the humans and the animals were preserved and can still be seen today on Kaphirinthiwa Mountain.

Text Box: The Chewa myth of origin and creation on the Kaphirinthiwa hillside expresses the harmony between God, humankind and animals. One of the frescoes outside the Chamare Museum depicts this myth.