At the end of growing season in Malawi one can see ripening maize as far as the eye can see. This land of farmers survives from small family farm plots situated around the villages. Each family cares for a plot of maize, and smaller amounts of vegetables, potatoes, and cassava. Near the lake the diet may include fish caught in Lake Malawi. Malawians are very proud of their lake, the third largest in Africa, and many ask guests if they like the Chambo, (one of the members of the tilapia family of fish).
The main item in nearly everyone’s diet, however, is maize or corn. This single item can comprise 80 to 90% of a person’s entire diet. Heavy in carbohydrates maize offers energy to work long hours in the field, but is deficient in the nutrients needed for good health. A single large bag of maize can feed a family of ten for two weeks, so families must store a lot of corn.
Maize is shelled and laid on bamboo mats in the sun to dry, until it is bleached white. It is sifted repeatedly to remove foreign objects, and then carried to the nearest maize mill to be ground to a fine powder. Mills are often long distances from the village, and the women often carry the maize in buckets on their heads, waiting in long lines to get their maize ground. Then they return home with the ground maize powder.
A large wood fire is prepared outside the house, and the maize is cooked to the consistency of a fine porridge. Porridge in the morning, and a later meal has the maize formed into patties and eaten with fingers, mixing in other food items that are available.
