The Malawi chair, with its unique curved back and intricately woven design, is a testament to the artistry and resourcefulness of the Malawian people. An original Malawi chair is, like its name, made in Malawi, East Africa. The official languages there are both English and Chewa.
These intricately woven chairs provide authentic flavor from Malawi. Woven with strips of tropical bamboo, and made sturdy with blue gum tree wooden frame.
Each chair is hand-crafted, so it has unique, one-of-a-kind design elements that make it stand out so it’s an original piece. In fact, many are hand-signed by the maker somewhere on the bottom.
The furnishings produced by the Tiyanjane Club are as much at home in Scandinavian-inspired interiors as they are in homes with a more rustic, bohemian vibe.
Here we will explore the history, craftsmanship, and cultural significance of this iconic piece of furniture.
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Origins and Cultural Significance
Ancient oral tradition holds that the people of Malawi descended from the sun. When they landed on earth, they continued to harness the powerful sun energy that to this day animates their kind spirits and radiates from their smiles. No wonder Malawi is known as “the warm heart of Africa.“
The precise origin of these chairs is uncertain. Portable chairs are found in various parts of Africa: anyone who has been to Ghana will have come across the chiefs' stools.
It is thought they were introduced to the country when the Chewa or Maravi people moved into "the land of the lake" in the 16th century. Then, and for a long time to come, the chairs seem to have been used almost exclusively by chiefs.
The possession of furniture is still a mark of status in much of poorer Africa.
So it is with the decoratively-carved Malawian chiefs' chairs.
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They have heard all about Malawi's Chiefs' Chairs.
Materials and Construction
The chair, with its unique curved back and intricately woven design, is made from sustainable solid wood from the blue gum tree, rattan, and bamboo.
That delicacy can be misleading: Because cane doesn’t crack like wood in hot, humid climes, the furniture is extremely durable.
The chairs were traditionally made from strong mpingo wood, but other woods are also used today. Each chair consists of just two pieces, which slot into one another. The smaller section is shaped like a paddle with a very short, curved handle. The blade forms the seat, the handle the back "leg". The other piece of wood is much larger and forms the back of the chair (with sides gently curving inwards) and the broad front "leg". The chair is assembled by slotting the seat through a hole in the back piece so that the "paddle handle" rests on the ground, forming an asymmetrical "X". The resulting chair tilts slightly backwards, most commonly prompting two questions from visitors: "is it comfortable?" and even, "can you really sit on it?"
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The answer to both these questions is most assuredly "yes". While they often look too diminutive or fragile to support an adult, all but the smallest of chairs will provide a comfortable seat.
Of course, there's something of a knack to using the chief's chair to full advantage. The best and most ergonomically correct position is to sit with the feet tucked back under the thighs. As long as the sitter's rear quarters don't greatly overlap the wooden seat, the chair will be as comfortable as anything from IKEA - and even more easily assembled.
The chairs vary in size and in the degree of decorative carving on the backs.
Usually only the inner side of the back section is carved (although the carving is sometimes worked through from front to back to create a latticed effect). The outstandingly beautiful designs may depict animals, people, village scenes or plants.
Today, most chairs are given a slightly polished surface that enhances the characteristic light and dark colours of the wood.
The Tiyanjane Club and Sustainable Practices
Too often this conundrum is “solved” with built-in obsolescence, but that was never an option for the proud weavers living in and near the village of TA Kapeni.
A serendipitous roadside spotting of these quality furnishings by the social enterprise People of the Sun led them to the artisans, who in 1979 had been organized into the Tiyanjane Club by Mr. Amos Ligawo.
The Tiyanjane Club now sports more than 60 members. Mr. Liwago is still active, and he continues to inspire the entire village. Their creations exude such light and warmth, it’s not hard to believe the People of the Sun possess an otherworldly energy.
A partnership was formed, allowing these artists to focus on the local and indigenous aspects of their enterprise while People of the Sun mentored them and found markets for their furniture far beyond the shores of Lake Malawi. People of the Sun refers to these expanded markets, design collaborations, and opportunities as “Circular Value Chain.” Regardless of the label, Mbare is grateful for the mutual inspiration that enriches everyone!
There’s satisfaction in knowing that your purchases are providing sustenance to families and their communities in a place where people make do with very little, and that the materials they use are sustainable and renewable. Your purchases are helping craftsmanship, creativity and culture not only survive but thrive!
Malawi Furniture Cane Chairs made in Malawi, Hand-woven.
The Making of a Malawi Chair
Tiyanjane Club’s artisans come from the Southern region of Malawi, the poorest region of the country. Set back by natural disasters such as floods that destroy crops and flood homes, people have few opportunities to escape rural poverty. The artisans have been perfecting their version of the traditional Malawi chair design since 1979, using local materials to make each chair over the approximately 10 days time. Why does it take so long? Here, they show us the steps to completely a single woven chair.
Artisans start by hand-carving and building a frame from the wood of a blue gum tree, a locally-available wood often used for construction and joinery because of its strength. Then they insert straight strips of bamboo before weaving flexible rattan strips in intricate patterns along the sides of the seat. Rather than use glue, they secure the strips with special knots.
To create a curved barrel back, they temporarily insert spare parts from cars and bicycles that guide them as they work. Isn’t this innovative and smart?
Once the woven chair is complete, the artisan leaves his or her signature underneath.
Versatility and Style
The Malawi chair will not only stand the test of time because of how it’s made and the materials used, but it’s also quite versatile and can fit into a variety or spaces and styles of rooms - indoors and out.
You can use several around the dining table or one on each end to make a statement, or as a side chair in a living room.
You can use them on the sunporch, in a sleep space, at a desk, or as a stand-alone piece in an otherwise unused nook. It even works in a child’s room, hallway, or in a bathroom.
The chair is even available as a mini sofa
I also spotted them in white, black, navy and a few other colors but ultimately I prefer them in natural wood.
Purchasing and Availability
Chiefs' chairs are readily available from the craft markets and street traders of Blantyre and Lilongwe, but the widest selection comes from a string of small villages along a short section of the M3 road just north of Zomba.
Prices are remarkably low - about a fifth of what's charged in an African craft shop in the UK - with a medium-sized chair costing on average £10-20.
