The Kungoni (also spelled KuNgoni) Centre of Culture and Art is a non-profit organization in Central Malawi [1]. It is located in Mua, a village in the Dezda district, about 60 km from Salima. The Kungoni Centre was established by the White Father Claude Boucher Chisale with the intention of giving the local carvers training in a variety of artistic forms with the intention of improving local incomes. Besides the carvings, the Kungoni Centre has also developed a culture sector which includes the Chamare Museum, the research centre, local traditional dancing troupe and cultural courses. The centre employs over 120 carvers and is just setting up a new project called Kumbewu (The Seed). Kumbewu will offer skill training for women and serve as a site for various information sessions including Aids education, agricultural diversification, money management and more.
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The Mua Mission was founded by the White Fathers in 1902, which makes it the oldest in Malawi. In 1902 the buildings of the first big mission house were built and still stand today. The first church was finished in 1905 and opened at Christmas. The church which is used today was established in 1971 on the same ground and a lot of things of the old church have been adopted. The Kungoni Centre has been created by Father Claude Boucher Chisale in 1976, after Father Boucher already worked with artists in Nsipe. Originally it was just set up as a project of helping the local artists but the cultural part developed.
The Carvings are the essential and the core activity of the Kungoni Centre. In the beginning Father Boucher founded the Carving Centre to teach the local artists new techniques. Today the Carving Centre is used by the experienced, established carvers to teach the young and emerging artist. The artworks are sold to tourists or shops everywhere in the country with a special view on a fair price for the carvers so they can support their families. In 2009 the art gallery was opened to give carvers and the public a better sense of the carving history. The gallery documents, the thirty years of work performed in the community and the advancement of the themes and craftsmanship of the pieces. The Kungoni carvings are that popular, that it's even possible to find some in the Vatican museum and in the Buckingham Palace and in Churches and private collections in Africa, Europe and North America.
The Chamare Museum is one of the few museums in Malawi. It describes the Culture and way of living of the three major tribes in Malawi (Ngoni, Yao, Chewa) in a detailed way. The Museum chronicles, the history of the White Fathers mission work in Malawi dating back to 1902. Included in the collection are the many years of field work and the gathering of cultural material and is the most extensive display for explaining to Malawians and visitors the cultural history of the three main tribal groups.
The Centre also offers cultural courses. This courses combine the knowledge of Father Boucher, who has been a resident of Malawi for forty years, and his European view on the things. The cultural course offers Ngo's and faith based aid workers an orientation and inside into Malawian priorities and local realities. The course hopes to focus outsiders sensitively and effectively deliver their programs.
The Kungoni Centre also includes its own research center, which archives huge amounts of information about the tribes, such as photos, videos, books and notices. Everyone can gain access to the Kafukufuku.
One thing that is difficult to be seen for tourists in Malawi are the traditional dances even though they are a big part of the culture here. The Kungoni Centre records, describes and performs these dances and it is even possible to take part.
The new Project Kumbewu supports the local women and helps them in gaining financial independence. They create decorative jewelry and useful accessories made out of natural materials (seeds, plants) which are sold at the Centre. The money they earn represents important additional income for the family and leads to an improved life situation. Above this the Kumbewu site offers courses dealing with topics of local concerns (Health, food, and agriculture). Most important Kumbewu is a place for solidarity and exchanging of the ideas between women.
The Centre also provides small chalets for travelers or cultural interested visitors.
Box 41, Mtakataka, Malawi Tel.: 09511884 / 09294320 www.kungoni.org