Kungoni

The Kungoni Centre of Culture and Arts is a non- profit organization in Central Malawi. It is in the Dedza District near the village of Mua and is about 60 km from Salima away. The Kungoni Centre was founded by the missionary Father Boucher Chisale to give the native carvers a livelihood and to train them better. Meanwhile, the kungonische carving has evolved considerably and earned a worldwide reputation for excellence. In addition to the carving are in Kungoni Centre also a cultural area, which includes the Chamare Museum, the Research Centre, Malawian tribal dances and culture courses. The center provides jobs for over 120 carvers and tried in a new project ( Kumbewu ) and women under arms to grip.

History

The Mua Mission was founded by the White Fathers in 1902, making it the oldest in the whole of Malawi. In 1902, she also built the first mission buildings and 1903 they began construction of the great mission building, which still stands today. In 1905 the first church was completed and consecrated on Christmas Day. The church, which can be seen today, was established in 1971 on the site of the old one. The Kungoni Centre was founded in 1976 by Father Claude Boucher Chisale, who had previously worked with artists in Nsipe. Originally, it was to support the local carvers, but it became more and more contributes with its 40 years of experience in Malawi many interesting also a cultural center, to the Father Boucher.

Carving

With the carving and the " Carving Center " Kungoni originally started. Father Boucher built a Schnitzzentrum, in which he showed new techniques to local carvers and teach the next generation in the now trained carvers. The art is everywhere sold to tourists or business in the country, taking care that the locals get a fair price, with which they can support their families. To show people that you appreciate their work and the progress they have already made, Father Boucher left a " Art Gallery " build, in the most beautiful pieces of each are issued. Showpieces of this carving can be found even in the Vatican Museums and at Buckingham Palace. With carvings from KunGoni the missions chapel was designed in Munich.

Cultural Opportunities

Museum

The Chamare Museum is one of the few museums in Malawi. It enjoys a good reputation and describes in detail the culture and lifestyle of the three largest tribes in Central Malawi: the Chewa, Ngoni and Yao. These ways of life in the villages is still stock, which the museum describes not only the past but is still actual.

Culture Courses

In addition to visiting the museum you can also participate in a cultural exchange. Through this course, you can develop a deeper understanding of the cultures of Malawi. Father Boucher, the director and founder of Kungoni who lives in the country for 40 years, describes and explains the culture and answered questions.

Kafukufuku - the Research Centre

The Kungoni Centre also hosts a dedicated Research Centre, are archived in the extensive data collection on the Malawian cultures. There is both a small library as well as numerous video and images, and for those interested, it is possible to access the Kafukufuku material.

Dances

Something that is denied to most foreigners, are the traditional dances of the peoples of Malawi. From Kungoni Centre, these dances were recorded, archived, described and processed, and it is even possible to attend them.

Kumbewu

Kumbewu is a project that supports local women and helps them to achieve economic independence. They make jewelry and useful decorations from natural materials, which are then sold at the Centre. The money is then used to support their families. The project also serves the purpose to impart useful knowledge, such as the preservation of food or simple English.

Hostel

In addition, the Centre also has a small hostel for travelers or interested in culture.