Music Crossroads Malawi to host indigenous music fest

The festival will be held under the theme, Preserving Africa, in collaboration with the community of Chingalire and The Festival Institute. It will celebrate indigenous music from Malawi and around the world and is aimed at providing skills and contributing to Malawi’s creative economy.

“We look forward to a successful festival,” Music Crossroads Malawi director Gayighayi Mfune said. “It is an ambitious undertaking and our students are excited to begin applying their project management knowledge, gained from their cultural management training workshops, to real life projects.

“Partners or sponsors are welcome to identify an area for support. We also encourage musicians to inform us about some of the best local acts that people don’t know about. This is also a chance for tour operators to be involved because it is all about promoting cultural tourism.”

Malawian musician Ben Mankhamba, who is involved in organising the festival, said: “The community has welcomed the festival in our village and we are excited to not only experience art from all over the world but to also share our culture and traditions with the world.

“The traditional leaders are happy that they were engaged right from the beginning and next we are looking at reaching out to the traditional authorities, Kalolo and Kabudula, to meet with them.”

Billed as a family friendly event, the festival will plan a variety of activities such as crafts market, indigenous food stalls and conversations on permaculture and food sustainability.

It will include the Pabwalo Main Stage, Paseli Alternative Music Stage, Leo Amphitheatre Stage, Pamsika Artisan Exhibiganza, Pamudzi Food Garden and Pakwathu Eco Campsite.

For updates and ticketing information, visit the Pakhonde Ethno Music Festival Twitter page. Interested partners, sponsors, traders and activators can contact the organisers on +265 997 098 912.