Lake lore: a study of lacustrine artistic representations in the Malawian imaginary

Abstract

Lake Malawi, with its flora and fauna, exists as a pervasive presence in the collective creative imaginary of Malawian artists. This is evident through the presence of the lake as a feature in poetry, painting, and the novel among various genres. In this paper, the central position that is being advanced is that the lake does not only feature as an image, but also exists as a paradoxical symbolic element, where the water stands as a life-giving force, and simultaneously a sign for hope from the poverty that has for a long time plagued the nation, but also exists as a destructive force, one which bears the power to destroy the very same lives it sustains. The lake stands as a central motif around which various narratives – depressing and hopeful – are constructed. This paper purports to examine the various ways in which this image is employed by various artists across different genres, as a way of further illustrating the versatility of the Malawian creative mind. The decision to discuss different genres is deliberate, as it helps in illustrating the common features of lacustrine imagery, but also distinguishes the unique features particular to specific genres or the artists practicing therein.

Keywords:

• Lake Malawi
• Steve Chimombo
• Jack Mapanje
• Malawian art
• lacustrine

Notes on contributor

Ken Junior Lipenga holds an MA in Literature from the University of Malawi and a Ph.D. in Literature from Stellenbosch University, South Africa. His Ph.D. thesis was on the construction of disability in African imaginaries. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in English Literature at the University of Malawi. His research interests include Malawian literature, disability studies and postcolonial literature. He has published articles in several journals, including the African Journal of Disability, Journal of African Cultural Studies and Journal of Humanities.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks are due to Shemu Joyah, Massa Lemu and Stain Chatha for granting me permission to display their works.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Figure 1. Nisty Wizy. Let’s go fishing together. 2017. Wood Print. Fine Art America. 25 Jan. 2019. Courtesy of the artist.

Figure 2. A scene from The Last Fishing Boat. Dir. Shemu Joyah. FirstDawn Arts, 2014. DVD. Courtesy of FirstDawn Arts.

Figure 3. Massa Lemu. Row 2. 2017. Performance Art. Massa Lemu. Web. 24 Jan. 2019. Courtesy of the artist.

Notes

1 For more on the debate, see Ng’wanakilala (2012), Kenneth (2016), and Maluwa (2016).

2 There is a lot of art and literature, inspired by Lake Malawi, that has also been produced by non-Malawians, including missionaries, tourists and expatriate workers. Unfortunately, due to constraints of space and a need for focus, this article does not delve into a discussion of these works.

3 The mwera is a strong wind that blows on Lake Malawi.