Malawians find a piece of home in Washington

Life in the US can be brutally draining, especially for immigrants balancing work, bills, survival and responsibilities back home. But on Saturday, May 23 2026, the Malawian community in Washington State pressed pause and convened at a public park near Sammamish Lake to welcome summer. “We do this every year.

But this time we celebrate that the Malawi Washington [Mawa] is now a registered non-profit organisation,” stated Mphatso Namwali, who has lived in the US for over 20 years. The former Malawi National Football Team star chairs the association, registered in February this year. Several groups were also picnicking at the park, but the Malawian gathering soon became a crowd-puller.

It had the sound, taste and rhythm of Malawi. The get-together was complete with all that music, dancing, jokes, storytelling and home-style food such as nsima and rice with fish, therere and mang’ina. Obviously, guests had plenty to choose from.

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The eating was proudly home style too, with bare hands. Children from nearby gatherings drifted closer, watching as if they had discovered a live cultural festival. “This is really great.

It feels like home. I feel happy to be part of this community,” said Nhlezipe Waluza, who prepared a large part of the meal and sold Malawian products such as kambuzi pepper and zitumbuwa (banana fritters). She is well-known in the Malawian diaspora community for selling chambo, matemba and Sobo orange squash from Malawi.

“The association’s leadership asked me to prepare the food. I could not say no, but to do it for my community. I love cooking our food,” added Waluza.

From noon to 9pm, everyone in attendance had enough food and drinks, with some people carrying a plateful or two home. That, too, felt typically Malawian, because food is only truly enough when something remains after everyone has eaten. “This is nice.

We live in the same community, but rarely meet. I had to take some time off [work] for this. It helps to charge the social battery,” joked Steven Kaphamtengo, roasting some chicken.

While some groups in the park kept their music low and conversed in low tones, the Malawian corner was alive with loud music, uncensored stories, infectious laughter and shared experiences about life in the US and memories from home. The party makers mixed longtime residents with new arrivals still finding their way in America.

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