Malawi

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A landlocked country in southeastern Africa known for its stunning lakes and diverse wildlife
2. A nation bordered by Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique, recognized for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty
3. A country in East Africa that features Lake Malawi, famed for its biodiversity and cultural vibrancy

Etymology: The country's name was chosen in 1964, the year it gained independence from Britain, when Hastings Banda selected it for the new nation. Before that, the territory had been known as Nyasaland, a name tied to Lake Nyasa, which the British used for the protectorate. Banda's choice of "Malawi" drew on a local name for the lake and people of the region, and the most commonly cited origin links it to the Chichewa word "malawi," meaning "flames." The explanation is that the name refers to the flashes of light seen as the sun rises over the lake's waters. Other accounts trace the name instead to the Maravi, an early people of the region whose name may have been applied to the lake and later to the country. Scholars do not agree on which explanation is correct, so the name remains a blend of a possible sunrise image and a historical people's name.

Synonyms: Republic of Malawi