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Valentine's Day Supplement

Apr 04, 2018

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  • 7/29/2019 Valentine's Day Supplement

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    Special Essay

    Building

    strong

    relationships

    P 2

    Has love evolved with time? P3

    Maskals love stories P7

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    Special pullout the nation 14 february 2013

    do display beastly tendenciessuch as gender-based violence,nepotism, racism, oppression,human trafficking and so on.

    What love is notLessons

    from 1 Corinthians 13

    1. The fact that one isblessed with spiritual gifts suchas faith and prophecy does notnecessarily make them a lovingperson. 1 Cor.13:1-2

    2. The fact that one is ableto make sacrifices does notnecessary make them a loving

    person. 1 Cor.13:33. The fact that one has gotfeelings for another does notnecessarily mean that they lovethe person, love is greater thanfeelings. 1 Cor. 13:4-7

    4. The fact that one is veryknowledgeable does notnecessarily mean that they area loving person. Knowledgefails, but love never fails. 1Cor.13:8

    What love is

    The best answer of what loveis, is found in 1 John 3:16, theBible says: This is how weknow what love is: Jesus Christlaid down his life for us. And weought to lay our lives down forour brethren.

    True love is seen when weesteem people around us; ourbrethren, spouses and children;above our own selves, in love.Love focuses on others and notself.

    Also in the book of John15:13 the Bible states: Greaterlove has no man than this, tolay down ones life for onesfriend.

    What is the conclusion ofthe whole matter, therefore?Whosoever suffers, sacrifices,

    gives to a friend, brother, spouse,child and indeed their nation forthe betterment of others at his/her expense, such one is offeringthe true and greater love. He/sheis truly a loving person.

    FAC

    TS

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    cd, sm Vs D, m ssd w Vs D s ws s Vs, rm gd v d . cd s Vs ds dg w d ws s s vd s mg ws s gs v.

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    Building strong relationships

    2

    Love is selfess

    rv. r Md

    t s s Wd

    av Mss, Mzz.

    iKonDi cha loKolo

    here are very fewthings in life that areso significant as toaffect every humanLife and education has

    t us that human beingsally have three basicto stay alivefood,r and clothing. As muchnerally agree with thischy of needs for humans, I dare say that peopleone more very basicwhich is as crucial as thementioned needs, and thatVE.ntless stories are toldple who, even after

    ding the hierarchy of commit suicide because

    eel unloved. In factis the only single word

    tion of God in the HolyIn 1 John 4:8 scriptures whoever does notoes not know God, FORIS LOVE. God himselfs to this attribute in manydealings with His veryreation. For example, inok of Matthew 5:45, the

    tells us that God causesn to rise upon the just

    e unjust and provideso the righteous andhteous.ondly, countless storiesd of extreme acts whichnd indeed people cantake in pursuit of love.ample, the highest act

    e that the world has evernd known is recorded inok of John 3:16 whichFor God so loved thethat He gave His onlyen Son so that whoeveres in Him should not, but inherit eternal life.origin of the day we

    ate today, Valentiness yet another piecedence of an extremelove taken by Sainttine who broke Kingius decree not to wedrs. Saint Valentine

    suffered imprisonment andlater execution for the love heshowed the soldiers.

    Love, therefore, be it divine,platonic or romantic, remainshumankinds essential need;

    just like shelter, food andclothing. In the absence oflove, many a human being

    PHOT

    OGRAPH:flickR.cOm

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    Special pullout the nation 14 february 2013 3

    Has love evolved with time?

    atureS chikondi cha lokolo

    PHOTOGRAPH:FATsAniGunyA

    Maliri: Love is no longer binding

    PAGE 6

    Many argue society ismuch more differentnow than it was in the

    n in the same year thery got its independencehe British, Linesion got married in 1981.

    ow has eight children.the other hand, 63-year-oup Village Headmanhas nine children with

    me wife he married in

    ile the two may havecontrasting scenariosir love lives, there arecommon threads runninggh them. The two areustodians of social

    , customs and values.wo are village chiefs ingweHarrison is Groupe Head Mwanza, whileacting as his areasonal authority, since the

    who passed away somego.there is more.two agree that lovehas greatly changed.claim it is no longerng as it used to be in theirful days.er poem, Brie Beecherher readers to ponder ontual meaning of love; if at

    re is.has love really evolvedhe years? Does the wordmeaning anymore?m strongly convincedhas. There are a lot of

    attesting to my claim anding cases of divorce are

    elping the scenario. Muchmay not talk of buildinge house without stones,

    pity that people yearnlding effective Christians without [Jesus] Christ,

    Medison Mazengera, a at Area 23 Seventh-Day

    ntist Church.

    t there is more. Peopleto have forgotten thece of love. I dont thinkvalued as it used to beh it remains the mosttant key to all life on he adds.king at the biggere Harrison painted in aniew, one may easily agree

    SANI GUNYA

    espondent

    with Mazengeras assertions.According to her, the

    Malawian society seemsto have abandoned itscultural values. She blamesmodernisation which, she says,has managed to do away withsome village counsellors.

    I am not saying that weought to remain conservative;like refusing to move on withtimes. But at least we have toweigh the options before usbefore dumping our values as apeople. Not everything that theWest brings us is good.

    Today, children no longerrespect the elders. Its justlogical for them to haveturbulent love lives. Its allbecause the elders are notconsulted, from choice, time tomarriage.

    But what worries her mostis how nowadays parentsraise their kids. She says fewof them prepare them for theindependent life ahead. Sheattributes this to lack to familytimes in most homes, owing tocareer affiliations.

    Maliri chips in, saying that

    in his days, there was thewhole community interested inthe welfare of a child, and thisincluded their love child.

    Its not like we didnt havecareer parents back then; wehad them. But at least theyunderstood on where to drawthe line in their parenthood.

    Children were a valuableasset then. There were unclesand aunts to see to it thattheir nephews and nieces dothem proud by tying the notewith a partner of some sound

    character and principles. Its allgone now. Money and materialobsession have taken over.

    Maliri thinks the media hasdone a lot of damage than goodin the way children are broughtup in recent times.

    But how much of a role hasthe media really played in the

    upbringing of children, whichacademic and psychologistsboth agree that it directlyrelates on choices one makesin future?

    Village Headman Bubuwaof Ntcheu tries to share hisinsights by asking the toughquestions:

    It all depends on what itmeans to you to be in love;what have you gathered asyour clues as to what loveshould be, and how have youallowed the media to shape

    your ideas of what it means tobe in a relationship, says theyoung Ngoni village head.

    He argues society does notsee many portrayals of truelove in the media.

    He says: Because in a

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    . JOE NZIMA

    art belongs to

    d only you.

    e.

    CE KACHINGONIKO

    was not into my

    ou whispered,

    o my heart. It

    ot my mind you

    d, but my soul...

    Valentines Day

    MADAYou rock my heart,enjoy your valentinesday.Wongie

    C H I F U N D OZINCHETERAWishing you a joyous

    Valentines Day. Mylove for you is natural.Enjoy.Harriet Gumba.

    ANGELA!You are my hope andjoy. Never stop caring.Till we unite.Emmanuel.

    To my sweet CHARITY,sending out the purestValentines love to you.Chawa.

    JESSY RICHARDI love three things! thesun, the moon and you.The sun for the day,the moon for the nightand you forever. Be myValentine.Lameck Njala.

    S T A N C EDAWIRE KAIYA

    heart, Amg you every

    of my heartI cant survivet you darling. Iways keep mye because am amy words. I lovevalentine.

    nd Kondwani.

    KAGULODaddie, your lovehat of a mother.k u k o n d a n i

    biri. Happynes Day.

    Rutty, Ryan andgulo.

    JANET KAMONOYou are a source ofeverything in my life.Happy Velentine.Ernest Kamono.

    MRS JULIANA CHIWANDA KAMINGAYou are unique, you are caring and you are thebest. I am the luckiest to have you in my life. MayGod bless you always. Happy Valentines Day mysweetheart.

    Atipatsa.

    MRS VIOLET CLARA CHINKONODarling Vio, on this day I want you to know that thmost beautiful view is the one I share with you. wish you happy Valentines Day.Husband Clem.

    STANLEY CHIMWAZAStanley my husband, you are all what I wanted in

    my life. Happy Valentine.Your wife Christina.

    ESNAT KAIPASweet, you are almost everything to me. Continuebeing good to me. Happy Valentine.Isaac BDA Mkandawire.

    GETRUDE CHALEMA CHIWANDAYou are such a wonderful beauty, so rare to nd,thats why I chose you on 7th July, 2012 to be the

    mother of my children. No regrets at all and youdeserve more. Thank God to have you in my life.Be my Valentine forever.Peter.

    JOY KANTHUNZIYou are my source of happiness and you are a giftfrom God. You are my Valentine forever.Love from Mum Eve Seven.

    PHOEBE CHAWAWAStay with me, be my Valentine, Kondwa will be allyou need, Love you.Kondwa Malera.

    RELIA NKHATABe my Valentine mama. Zaithwa, you are sospecial in my life.Hubby Eno (Anonga).

    ATUPELE MDALA

    You are charming and disarming, irresistance

    and true to me. The excitement of your presence

    matches the beating of my heart. Your promise fo

    tomorrow that we shall never part. You inspire and

    impress me and these are the reasons you are m

    Valentine.

    Your husband.

    RODRICK ZALANJEJust want to let you know that you will always bemy Valentine forever. Happy Valentines Day msweetheart.From Gladys Jimu.

    ANGELLA MWANZABe my Valentine.Talandila.

    RACHEAL MZINZAYou are an amazing person, you are the best.Having you in my life completes and fullls everypart of me. Be my Valentine.Oliver Nembo.

    MAGGIE BANDA

    You are my special sweetheart. Happy ValentinesDay.Roneck Chimwaza.

    STEVE KUMTAMBILAJust want to let you know that you are my one andonly. Happy Valentines Day sweetheart.From Enklent Phiri.

    PATRICIA GONDWEMy love time may change but one thing that willalways remain true is our love. Hun the futurebelongs to those who believe in the only beauty oftheir dreams. Happy Valentines Day.Chippie Chule.

    ECKARIEUmutima wanjyeigihe cyose ushaka ujyeuburimpande yanjye ukabu kure urukundo r wanjyerarakura narwo igihe cyose buri munola.Bailla.

    WE THANK GOD, pastor Chipungu of ChilomoniAssemblies, parents, MRA staff, the organisingcommittee, friends and all relatives for the supportrendered to our wedding on 26th January, 2013.The gifts were so wonderful. May God bless youabundantly.

    Godfrey and Chifundo Magaleta.

    HUSSEIN MILANZIEAm waiting for your promise and big day.Chisi Bangwe Police.

    KUNKHONGOValentine my

    ove you.ongo.

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    AAH MWAMONDWEWithout you here, Karonga wouldnt be the same.I love you.Baila.

    JESSYThinking of your care gives me comfort, thinking o flove gives me feeling of having attained everythingin this world.

    Aubrey.

    CATHERINE MVULA

    You mean a lot to

    me sweetie. Be my

    Valentine forever.

    Amos

    Happy Valentines Day

    dear wife RITA.

    Love from David.

    AUGA

    This day is so special

    just because I have

    you. Love you

    Log.

    MPHATSO TONNY!

    Youa re one in a million.

    You deserve to be my

    ever Valentine.

    From your Valentine

    Timakulani.

    Mawet.

    PATSA WATHU

    MALUNDA

    Birthday and

    Valentines Day same

    day! Wawoo! What a

    coincidence. Love you

    always.

    Husband to be James

    Damson.

    MIKE SANDIKONDA

    Honey, happy Valentine.

    Mupitilize kutikonda.

    Timakukondani.

    Yours Grace Lingomba

    (MJ)

    MRS SEMBAMama, I love you. You are my everything, myadvisor to everything. May God bless you and ourfamily.Husband.

    A BANDAeart, youreestiny. Happy

    ne..

    Yyou are

    forever. Happyne.Banda.

    DANIELLS F. MSEWAMy husband, I promise to stand by your sidethrough thick and thin. Honour your thoughts andfeelings. I will always love you. Happy ValentinesDay.Wife Wezzie.

    ANNIE CHINANGWALove you lots together with Sam Jnr.

    Samson Mwalungila.

    OYou my husband,e grown up, beand lovely, fournot a joko.your wife, son

    Sante, Febe andaugther Zaida.

    VALENTINE AND VALENTINO KAPIMPHIHappy 5th birthday to you boys. Keep oncharming.Madalo & Chimwemwe Kapimphi.

    He the one whomy life to tick.e being my

    no.Lauk.

    GRACE!You are my special Valentine. Feel it.Alexie!

    NGS I. GONDWEring ways make

    love you, noke you. Happynes Day.o Mbewe.

    LINDAYou are the love of my life. Happy Valentinesweetie!Symon.

    HILDA KAFUMBABabe, so special and precious is what you are tome. You ll every single space in my life. Alwaysloving you babe.Tinkha (Dad).

    AIWALA MAKOYODear, you gave my life a new meaning and I alwaysfeel like singing and shouting. I thank God for youin my life. Happy happy Valentines Day.Noel Kapito.

    MARY MITHIWe are proud of youmum. May God blessyou always. Wishingyou a good ValentinesDay.From your kidsWisdom, Constance,Nellie and Daina. Youare special to us.

    ZIONE

    Let the world knowthat you are mine. Ilove you.Billie

    WEZZIE MSISKAWish the world knew what your love for me,Sheillah and Themba mean. You are a wonderfulperson, sweet Wezzie, a loving mother, a caringwife and most importantly my best friend ever, allin single person You! I love you my love. Be myValentine!Daniel Msiska.

    CHIMWEMWESweetie, I thank God I found you and you mean a

    lot to me and my son. Keep on loving and caringfor us. We love you!! Happy Valentines Day.Geoffrey and Destiny.

    MARTIN MATHEWEHappy Valentine sweet. I love you so much.

    Jane Chirwa.

    NOEL KAPITOI open my bagI found it emptyI searched my pocket found few coins nally searched my heart and I found youThen I reaslised how rich I am because I have alover like you. Happy Valentines Day.

    Aiwala Makoyo.

    THANDEKILEValentine treasures are people who have oftencrossed your mind, who in your life have shinedthe warmth of love or a spark of light that makesyou remember them. No matter how long sinceyouve actually met. Each one is a luminous gemwho gleams and glows in your memory. Bringingspecial pleasures and thats why this Valentinecomes to you babe. Youre that sparkling treasureI love you so much my dear wife.Tione.

    ERNEST MILANZIYou are the best thing Iever had. Always lovingyou.

    Stellah.

    GETRUDEHappy Valentine to you. Life is what we make.Love you.Husband Kenneth Mpighu

    CONSTANCE MWAUNGULUDarling, you deserve to be my wife because youfulll. I love you! Always my Valentine.Hamphreys Mwaungulu.

    DEAR JUSUFI just want to say that Ive loved you since I metyou. I loved you since the rst time you saw meeven though we were not together for some timeI still loved you and Ill always. I have no words tothank God for the gift.

    KALIYA

    ud of you honey. my Gods sent.

    kukonda mpaka

    Wako.

    2 5

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    e that moves as quickly,as an infinite need fordiate gratification, it is soeasier for us to gravitateds that which is easiest to

    n.uwa also bemoans the

    n cultural pride in manye which he says is slowlyng the countrys culturalty and heritage.r instance, you find

    one doing a Ngonihoswe ceremony as if

    were all Ngonis whenrent. This is commonan settings. Most times,cause townspeople choose to ignore their

    e elders in the name ofrnisation. We need tothat some other thingsore valuable than money,

    hat modernisation doesnto make us lose ourty, he says.n interview, recentlyed James and Thandinga-Mbewe of Lilongwe

    ed they paraded ass on their engagementony last year, though theyt. They are Lhomwe.

    es it mean they couldrange for a Lhomweony? Was somethingwith funds or parentalnce?

    Actually, its none of theabove. We just found theNgoni type appealing and weset out to do ours that waygiven a choice, Thandi says.

    The two dated for six yearsbefore tying the knot.

    However, Maliri concurswith Bubuwa on the need touphold ones true culturalidentity, saying there is noculture which is superior tothe other.

    And this, he adds, emanates

    on ones upbringing.But in his essay posted

    online, writer ChristopherKendalls says: These days,children have webcams andtry to get them to grow up toofast and even in classroom, noone is really safe. Technologyhas made adult fare moreaccessible, and seeing that youno longer have to pay so muchmoney to watch something youshouldnt be.

    Kendalls also argues that themedia has since the turn of themillennium made parents losegrip of their parenthood in the

    upbringing of children as theythemselves may not make goodexamples for the children.

    It is a terrible thingthat most of us, rather theoverwhelming majority ofus, grew up in a time whereeveryone was getting divorced,and that even younger adults

    fresh out of adolescence grewup in single home householdswhere their parents were never

    PHOTOG

    RAPH:FATsAniGunyA

    Harrison: The concept of love has changed

    married to begin with aretrying to teach their childrensomething, terrible indeed.

    But the author also tries tooffer some cues on how bestto move on with the dynamicworld.

    But at some point in time,we have to move beyond that,to desire something, to desiresomething more out of lifethan the empty gratificationthat comes with experimentand being your own free agentthat is accountable to no one.You have to move on anddemand more from yourself.

    Before you can do that,yeah the media may haveplanted those seeds, butlong after he media has leftyou alone and moved on tosomeone more impressionable,you are still walking around inthe dark. Kendall says.

    But Maliri, Mwanza andBubuwa all say all is not lost.

    There is still hope.The three, though indicated

    scepticism about how the dayis commemorated, agree thatValentines Day is a chanceto renew and strengthen loverelationships which they

    believe will pave the way for apeaceful and stable world.But all said and done, a

    point still remains that evenin such a world of constantchange, the important thingsneed to be maintained; toppingthat list should be love!

    On whether love has evolved

    Time to

    celebrate loveIt means one womanto one man and beingfaithful to onespartner. To celebratethis, a day was setaside for people tocelebrate the ideaof one love.BautiThomas, Blantyre.

    What Valentine means to different people

    PAGE 3

    vox pop/featureSikondi cha lokolo

    eans love,etherness

    tine means love

    e idea of stayingher in oneness. Itmeans respecting

    thers decisionsiorities.Stanford

    ko, Blantyre.

    A birthday ofsome sort?

    It is a habitual people

    developed for a certainday in the month ofFebruary. Valentine is likea birthday of some sort,when people celebrate bydressing in red and whiteattires. It is symbolisedby giving each otherflowers.Damiano Jackson,Blantyre.

    Making loved

    ones happyValentine means doingwhat the person youare in love with wants,and doing things toimpress the other andnot oneself. It can bein a form of buying acloth your partner hasbeen willing to havebut has not been ableto get.Enock JohnNamalomba, Blantyre.

    Time for alllovers

    To me, Valentinemeans a day onwhich lovers needto strengthen theirlove ties. It may beeither parent to theirchildren or betweentwo people who arein love.PiliraniBanda, Blantyre.

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    PHOTOGRAPH:flickR.cOm

    PHOTOGRAPH:NATiONlibRARy

    ose who consideralentines Day alien say itjust another day cunning

    esses cash in on lovers.ritics argue that love isod to be adored one dayfor it must be treasuredy, every day, all year round., truckloads of sweets,s, ornaments and giftwill have exchangedby sunset today.finest way of celebrating

    es in the heart of theders, but Maskal, probablywian musics mostntic voice, feels today isngular day lovebirds haveir name and let theme in a special way.a year, there arerous days dedicatedcific themes such ases, peace and historic, but lovers have none

    alentine to show theirciation for their beloved.parents were alive, todayhave been the day to

    them how much theyr to me, says the Udalire

    ker who performs forens wellbeing at Steersn downtown Blantyre

    ht.

    oves of Maskalhe time he gets onhis romantic numbersing the 2010 hits Udalire,

    V, Mtima Wako andkukondawould haveeplayed on air and on thets of uncountable loversd the venue. Soulfulbrings hearts closer tother. Despite sacrificing alight outing with his love,

    tist says he is happy tothe night at a show justw some love for needyen.a long time, his fans have

    wondering who is womand the rise of the musiciandmittedly receives a flurryssages acknowledgingis well-measured lyrics

    charging batteries ofd affairs and saving

    ages from separation.says there are two gemsores despite the trappingsmptations celebrity life

    nts.

    t, he cites his passioniting. Maskal usuallyhome alone, penning hismaginations that havebirth to a collection ofe songs. This solitary lifehim brand ambassadoress Communications

    ed and winner of

    Malawian Music Award in2012.

    Second, there is SekayMponda, his sweetheart ofabout five years who opens

    floodgates of superlatives.Sekay is everything I need.I am happy with her. Actually,she is the one who inspiredme to sing Ndimakukondaand Mtima Wako on my firstalbum, Nthawi, says Maskal.

    He explained: We met in2009 when I was rising from afailed relationship. Ever since,she has always been by myside. She was the force of myrise and the fountain of ideaswhen I had nothing to keep mymusic going. She used to tellme what to do and what washappening in the industry.

    Sekay the sweetheartMaskal revealed that Sekay

    was his sisters friend at atime he did not want fall inlove again. Their affectionhas grown from strength tostrength and he says he haslearnt one thing: No matterwhat happens, human beingsneed a special someone to betheir other half.

    He likens material love toa mansion on sand, sayingit crumbles as soon as theincentives vanish.

    Most Malawians, especiallythe youth, have ended up in

    failed affairs because theymistake love for money andattraction. People must makethe best out of valentine,and they can do so withoutspending. Sometimes,expensive gifts are cheaper thanheartfelt words. After all, evenpretenders can buy flowers heelaborates.

    Wedding bellsBut what does he say true

    love is?It is the centre of

    everything, he says. Withoutlove, I wouldnt be here. My

    music could not have beenhere. My fans could not havebeen here. For me, love isUmunthu as in the title of mysecond album. Its being therefor someone and remainingtruetreating others as wewant them to treat us.

    Watch this space. The artistdisclosed that he is planning toupgrade his love for treasuredSekay at a private engagementsoon and a white weddingnext year. During the specialdays, deejays only have toshuffle the album Umunthu fortimely hits such as Umamva

    Bwanji, Kudzagwa Mvula,Chikondi, Zili ndi Iwe, Usatope,Wamupeza, Anakadziwa andLinga Langa.

    Early ValentineAs rosy mementos fly off

    the shelves, the singer gaveus a glimpse of how he and

    his sweetheart spend theirValentine. To him, this is thesecret: Dont give obviousgifts, lovers love surprises.

    He stated: We usually havean early Valentine because I

    tend to spend the actual at ashow. But I make sure to takemy beloved Sekay to some wowlonely place we have neverbeen. I like quite places where Ican just be Masiye Kasaru, not

    Maskals love storiesove lingers in the

    JAMES CHAVULA

    to the heart of

    ve hitmakersctions.

    Maskal the artist.According to his love story,

    Maskal is not one of those whowill break up before Valentineand reconcile later afterwards

    just to skirt around the cost ofthe love holiday.

    atureS chikondi cha lokolo

    Romance is in the

    air on Valentine's

    Day

    Maskal:

    Don't give

    obvious gifts

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    eople have coinedthousands of expressionsto express their deepion for each other, fornce an icon in Country

    Western music Donams sang in a songe my best friend.

    u placed gold on my finger/ought love like Ive never/ You gave life to ourn/ And to me a reason toYoure my bread when Im

    y/ Youre my shelter fromed winds/ Youre my anchors ocean/ But most of allmy best friend.

    art from music, anotherf demonstrating

    mitment towards loveere a man and womaneach other and found a

    y.e family is the natural

    undamental group unit

    iety and is entitled toction by society and the as contained in theitution of the Republic of

    wi.urther stipulates: Alland women have the rightrry and found a family.rson shall be forced tointo marriage.centuries, people all overorld married. There areent styles in which theyinto marriage. And inf Malawi, people expect

    mal ceremony calledng to precede marriage.

    wever, sometimes peopley marry without suchmony and it is referredmarriage by elopement.age is part of culture andremonies differ frome to culture.efs are custodiansture and Traditionalority Chadza of Lilongwean account of marriage,a specific focus on howone in the village and in

    ese days, there areences between a marriage

    wn and in a village,

    ns the chief.

    Town and village

    wedding fromchiefs viewpoint

    He says, in addition tosealing the affection thetwo lovebirds have for eachother, marriages are now a

    form of generating money,especially during the weddingceremonies.

    First, he explains on howa typical marriage is foundedin his area. He said, aftercourtship, the mans sideofficially notifies the womansside of the impendingmarriage. Then they agree,visit each other and pay aroundK10 000 and some gifts such

    as maize flour, soap, a piece ofwrapper and around K200 ontop of the K10 000.

    The two sides either agree

    on holding an engagementceremony and weddingseparately or jointly dependingon the amount of moneythey have to manage the twoceremonies, he adds.

    The differences, says thechief, come in areas of an eventcalled bridal shower. We dontdo bridal shower. Bridal showeris an event specifically arrangedto offer comprehensive

    pieces of advice to a bride. Abridegroom appears towardsthe end of the event.

    We dont do that here in

    the village, he indicated. Mostof the times wedding in towntake place at the church, if itsa Christian marriage and havea reception at an entertainmenthall.

    Adds the chief: But here wedont go to a hall. We simply usea playground or the chiefs court.

    The chief also indicates thatwhere weddings in town aretypical of symbolic events such

    UEL CHIBAYA

    reporter

    as cutting of cake, wearing of afinger ring, kissing and hugging,a typical wedding in the villageis devoid of these.

    We dont kiss or hug eachother, that is against ourculture because they are meantfor the two in the privacy oftheir bedroom and not publicdisplay, he adds.

    He also indicates that it isagainst a typical village marriagefor a man and woman who havebeen staying together as a familyfor years and also probablyhave children to do a weddingceremony.

    These people are alreadymarried, but these days, we hearthat there are such weddingstaking place in town. This is

    what you people in town aredoing, pointed out T/A Chadza.

    Also becoming trendy in townis another activity called send-off, which is organised for bothman and woman.

    In all these, I see that thebride and bridegroom are drivenby a desire to raise money sincethose attending the ceremoniesare expected to pay cash or othermaterials in form of gifts. So theweddings in town have normallybecome a commercial venture,said the chief.

    However, despite suchdifferences, there are underlying

    similarities such as courtship,official proposal for the bride,the wedding event or weddingparade where the two eitheruse motorcades or bicycles forshowbiz.

    At the end of the day, whatmatters is whether the coupleinvolved truly loves each other,not whether the ceremony is intown or in the village.

    featureSikondi cha lokolo

    8

    Love and weddings have been Westernised in Malawi

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