Our Work
Our Work
Three pillars drive our work: economic empowerment, regional cooperation, and the living arts of the Chewa people.
Economic Empowerment
Chewa Development Holdings Limited provides agricultural lending and community finance to smallholder farmers across the Salima and Dedza districts.
Regional Cooperation
The Growth Triangle unites Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique — turning the ancient boundaries of the Maravi Kingdom into a modern framework for shared development.
Living Arts of the Chewa
We preserve the Nyau brotherhood, Gule Wamkulu, and the oral histories of our elders — keeping Chewa culture alive and accessible to the next generation.
Economic Empowerment
Chewa Development Holdings Limited
CDHL is the economic arm of the Mankhamba revival. Guided by the Kalonga's vision of self-dependence, it connects traditional community values with practical financial tools.
Agriculture is central to Chewa life. CDHL provides lending and support to smallholder farmers — the custodians of the land the Maravi Kingdom was built on.
Who Can Apply
Lending Criteria
CDHL uses a community-based vetting process to keep the fund sustainable and rooted in Chewa tradition.
- Be a recognised member of a Chewa community, with endorsement from a local Village Headman or Chief.
- Have access to arable land of at least one hectare.
- Commit to attending CDHL-sponsored training on agronomy and financial management.
- Preference is given to farmers organised into cooperatives — for shared risk and stronger bargaining power.
"The prosperity of the many is the true crown of the King."
Regional Cooperation
The Growth Triangle
The ancient Maravi Kingdom once stretched across what is now Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique. That same geography is now a blueprint for modern cooperation.
Championed by Kalonga Gawa Undi and actively supported by Kalonga Sosola IX, the Growth Triangle turns historical and cultural ties into practical development for all three nations.
Living Traditions
Cultural Arts: Keeping the Traditions Alive
The Chewa people's identity runs deep — through dance, ritual, and oral history. Our work here focuses on preserving and passing on what cannot be found in any museum.
Gule Wamkulu — The Great Dance
Performed by members of the Nyau brotherhood, Gule Wamkulu uses masks, costumes, and movement to represent spirits and animals. It teaches the community about history, values, and the natural world — a living curriculum passed down through generations.
In 2005, UNESCO recognised it as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. We support the Nyau brotherhood in keeping this tradition strong.
- We fund Nyau brotherhood activities across Chewa communities in Malawi.
- We host Gule Wamkulu performances at the Mankhamba site and at cultural festivals.
- We document masked dance traditions on video to build a lasting archive.
Oral History Programme
Recording the Voices of Our Elders
Much of Chewa history has never been written down. It lives in the memories and stories of elders. We run a community oral history programme to record those stories before they are lost.
Oral testimonies are cross-referenced with the archaeological record — including the work of scholar Yusuf Juwayeyi, whose excavations at Mankhamba produced the first scientific evidence of the kingdom's prosperity and its trade networks spanning three continents.
- We record oral histories from elders across the Chewa diaspora in Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique.
- Recordings are archived and made available to schools and researchers.
- We link oral tradition with physical evidence from the Mankhamba site to build a fuller picture of Chewa history.
Heritage Conservation
Protecting the Mankhamba Site
The site faces real risks from environmental wear and lack of resources. Here is how we are protecting it.
Education & Scholarships
Investing in the Next Generation
The story of the Maravi Kingdom belongs in every Malawian classroom. We work to make that happen.
We develop learning materials for primary and secondary schools covering Chewa history, the Kalonga dynasty, and the archaeology of Mankhamba. We also support students and researchers through scholarships focused on cultural heritage.
"A people without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots."
— Marcus Garvey
Volunteer & Partnerships
Get Involved — Become a Guardian of Mankhamba
This revival is a collective effort. We welcome professionals, students, and community members who want to lend their skills to the restoration.
Join the Revival
The restoration of the Maravi Kingdom belongs to all Chewa people — and to everyone who values African heritage. Whether you are a historian, a farmer, a student, or a member of the diaspora, there is a place for you in this movement.