Timeline of Malawi

Chronology

16 events spanning the history of Malawi. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1 – 1499

   Malawi is home to the Twa and Fulani peoples until Bantu-speaking tribes invade the region.

   The region of Africa which is now known as Malawi is home to the Twa and Fulani peoples until Bantu-speaking tribes invade the region. A continuing influx of Bantu-speaking people to the area will usher in southern Africa’s Iron Age in the 13th century.

2. 1480

   Bantu tribes unite several smaller political states to form the Maravi Confederacy.

   Bantu tribes unite several smaller political states to form the Maravi Confederacy which at its height includes large parts of present-day Zambia and Mozambique plus the modern state of Malawi.

3. 1790 – 1860

   Slave trade increases dramatically.

   Slave trade increases dramatically.

4. 1859

   Dr. David Livingstone, Scottish missionary, arrived in Malawi.

   Dr. David Livingstone, Scottish missionary, arrived in Malawi. The town of Livingstonia was later named in his honor.

5. 1859

   Maize replaced the native crops in Malawi soon after the arrival of David Livingstone.

   Maize replaced the native crops in Malawi soon after the arrival of David Livingstone. It had been introduced in Africa in the 16th century by Portuguese colonizers as a reliable staple for slaving outposts.

6. 1891 – 1893

   Britain establishes the Nyasaland and District Protectorate.

   Britain establishes the Nyasaland and District Protectorate, and changes its name to the British Central African Protectorate two years later. Africans are soon forced to work on White-owned coffee plantations.

7. 1901

   Britain and Germany agreed on a boundary between German East Africa and Nyasaland.

   Britain and Germany agreed on a boundary between German East Africa [later Tanganyika, Rwanda and Burundi] and Nyasaland [later Malawi].

8. 1907

   British Central African Protectorate becomes Nyasaland.

   British Central African Protectorate becomes Nyasaland.

9. 1915

   Reverend John Chilembwe leads a revolt against British rule.

   Reverend John Chilembwe leads a revolt against British rule, killing the white managers of a particularly brutal estate and displaying the head of one outside his church. He is shot dead by police within days.

10. 1964

    Nyasaland declares independence as Malawi.

    Nyasaland declares independence as Malawi.