Our days have been filled with ministering and language lessons-besides the regular schooling, housekeeping, and meal preparation. Recently, we’ve been learning some interesting differences about the Malawian culture.
One thing we knew even before we came, was that they are extremely honorific…almost to the point of frustration sometimes! (Like calling me Madam.🤦🏼♀️ Thankfully there are a couple people who do not address me in that way or I think I’d go crazy!😆)
Two other things we’ve recently learned are: First, fathers have no say and are unable to discipline their children. That responsibility belongs to the wife’s brother(s). If a child is misbehaving, the parents go to the uncle and tell him. He then will deal with the child. The preacher who shared this with us said it causes many problems in the homes. He shared that his family follows the Biblical plan for families, and he was thankful that their families respected that.
The other cultural difference that we learned was that of the relationship between in-laws. Son/daughter-in-laws are not allowed to eat or be in the same house as their in-laws. When a son-in-law (or daughter-in-law) meets his mother-in-law somewhere, he crouches down and does not make eye contact as he greets her. He walks, crouched like that until he is out of her sight. If there are bushes, they will crouch behind those. When a couple gets married, they must live near the wife’s family, unless they’ve been given permission by - you guessed it- the wife’s uncle.😉
Whenever you move to a different area, whether from the north to south in America or to a different country, the culture can seem strange and funny. We have a tendency to think that the way we grew up doing things, what we are familiar with, is the best way. Some of the cultural differences are beautiful. Some feel strange. If we’re not careful, we can go on a mission to change things. But that should not be our focus! Our focus must be on sharing Jesus Christ, and the salvation He offers! Both of us must examine our culture in light of the Bible, whether it is Biblical or not.
The girls and I are wearing the cultural wrap skirts for our area. The pastor and his wife had bought me one before we came and Eric recently bought each of us girls one. Even though one of the ladies showed me how to wrap it, I have yet to get it to stay in place for very long. Thankfully it is always worn over your clothing.
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