Learn to Speak Chichewa

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Learn Chichewa
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Origins of the Chichewa Language
Chichewa is spoken in Malawi where, from 1968 until recently, it has served as the national language. Chicewa is of the Bantu language family.

How many people speak the Chichewa language?
In Malawi, out of a population of about 10 million, upwards of 65% have functoinal literacy and active command of Chichewa. In Mozambique, the language goes by the name of Chinyanja and is native to approximately 3.3% of 11.5 million inhabitants. In Zambia 16% of a 9.1 million population use Chinyanja as their first langauge. World-wide, figures show that upwards of 6 million speakers have fluent command of Chichewa/Chinyanja

Chichewa-speaking Countries
Chichewa is spoken primarily in Malawi, however, it is also spoken in areas of Mozambique, Zambia as well as Zimbabwe.

Screenshots from Talk Now! Learn Chichewa CD-ROM

Talk Now Chichewa CD-ROM Details

This is an excitingly different language learning series. Talk Now! uses games and quizzes as a basis for making the learning process fun, easy and relaxing. There is no better way to teach an old dog new tricks and this fun element of the program means that your fears are forgotten as you absorb words and phrases without even realising you are learning them.

Talk Now! is the world's best selling language learning CD-ROM series for beginners, used by more than three million people to date. It's ideal for travellers, holidaymakers, business people, schoolchildren, students and families.

Anyone over 10 years of age will find the disc indispensable for improving listening, understanding and spoken language skills. There are nine topics: first words, food, colours, phrases, parts of the body, numbers, time, shopping and countries.

The games and quizzes included on the disc ensure that users have fun whilst using the disc, without realising that they're learning. The "intelligent" software feature remembers words you get wrong and targets your weak points.

NOW includes Apple iPod integration, which allows you to listen to Talk Now Chichewa wherever you are!

Chichewa Culture

The History of Chichewa
The speakers of Chichewa trace their origins to a group of people known as the Maravi, who migrated from the lower basin of the Congo in Central Africa and eventually settled in the land mass now covered by Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. They were the first group of Bantu peoples to move and settle in present day Malawi in the 16th century, other Bantu groups followed long after.

The label, Chewa was, according to some accounts, one the Maravi aquired during a sojourn in Zambia before they pressed on and made ther way into Malawi. Chewa derives from the word Cheva, Sheva or Seva which was applied to them as a migrating group and had the meaning of "foreigner". The name was apparently adopted and subsequent phological changes resulted in the world Chewa, with the language becoming Chichewa.

Chichewa Music and Dance

Traditional miusic and dance are deeply rooted in social functions in Malawi, most tribes have their own tunes and dances. Instruments used include drums such as the hand-held 'ulimba' made from gourd, and ceremonial giants carved from tree-trunks; and the 'mambilira' which is similar to a xylophone. Various rattles and shakers called 'maseche' are tied to dancers's legs and arms. The most widely recognised traditional dance in Malawi is the Chewa tribe's 'Gule Wamkulu', which reflects indigenous beliefs in spirits and is connected to the activities of secret societies.

Chichewa Food and Drink

The local food includes boiled meat or freshwater fish, yams, seasonal fruit in abundance and local vegetables. A corneal porridge called 'nsima' is the staple food for most Malawians and is served with almost everything.

Chichewa Attractions

Malawi is a landlocked, long and narrow country covering more than 1000km from North to South. Malawi is dominated by the tranquil waters of Lake Malawi, which is nearly 600km long and up to 80km wide. The Lake, with it's golden beaches and stunning natural surroundings is Malawi's greatest attraction, however, there are also eleven national parks and game reserves protecting everying from the largest of beasts, rare birds to endangered plant species!

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