By Burnett Munthali
Cultural preservation took center stage in Malawi’s capital on Saturday evening as the Mulhako Wa Alhomwe Heritage Trust hosted a fundraising dinner and dance at the Sunbird Capital Hotel, bringing together leaders and partners around a shared commitment to protecting and promoting Alhomwe heritage.
The event served a dual purpose: raising funds for the Trust’s cultural programmes and marking the official launch of its new website, a digital platform designed to document, preserve and promote the heritage of the Alhomwe people to audiences in Malawi and beyond.
Organizers said the initiative reflects a growing recognition that technology can play a critical role in safeguarding traditions at a time when modernization and generational change are placing many African cultures under increasing pressure.
The gathering attracted a broad cross-section of Malawian society, including senior government officials, traditional leaders, diplomats and development partners. The evening carried a common message: preserving customs, language, music and traditions is essential to protecting the identity of one of Malawi’s largest ethnic communities.
The Office of Vice President Justice Dr. Jane Ansah was represented by Governance Advisor Alex Machila, who attended alongside Richard Mveriwa, Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media, and Getrude Ndunya, Advisor on Women Affairs.
Their participation underscored the government’s recognition of culture as an important pillar of national identity, social cohesion and development.
Also in attendance was Yusuf Nthenda, Executive Director of the Dr. Jane Ansah Foundation, which supports community-focused initiatives across the country.
Traditional leaders praised the Trust for taking deliberate steps to ensure that Alhomwe customs are preserved for future generations. They warned that without systematic documentation and stronger engagement with young people, many African cultures risk losing important elements of their identity over time.
Speakers at the dinner stressed that heritage should not be viewed solely through the lens of the past. They highlighted its potential to create economic opportunities through tourism, the arts, cultural industries and enterprise.
Trust officials said proceeds from the fundraising event would support cultural festivals, museum projects, youth training and the digitization of historical records.
A major highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the Mulhako Wa Alhomwe Heritage Trust website, described by leaders as a milestone in efforts to preserve Malawi’s cultural diversity in the digital age.
The platform is expected to host oral histories, photographs, videos of traditional dances and information on Alhomwe customs and leadership structures, creating a digital repository accessible to younger generations, researchers and audiences around the world.
Development partners welcomed the initiative, noting that technology offers a powerful means of reconnecting members of the diaspora with their cultural roots. They also emphasized that making cultural content available online can help challenge stereotypes and promote greater intercultural understanding globally.
The dinner and dance featured performances of traditional Lomwe music and dance, giving guests a vivid experience of the heritage at the heart of the evening’s celebration.
In remarks delivered on behalf of the Vice President, Machila commended the Trust for combining tradition with innovation. He said the government remains committed to working with cultural institutions to ensure that Malawi’s heritage contributes to national pride and social cohesion.
The evening concluded with a call for Malawians at home and abroad to support the Trust’s work and help ensure that cultural preservation remains a shared responsibility.
For the Alhomwe community, the Lilongwe gala was more than a fundraising event. It was a declaration that culture does not have to retreat in the face of modernization. With investment, documentation and innovation, heritage can be preserved, strengthened and shared with the world.
