Kamuzu Academy don launches book

Kamuzu Academy director of music Donald Kaluwire will launch his English book, Bilimankhwe, Saturday evening.

Kaluwile, 40, said veteran author Willie Zingani will present a keynote address at the event, starring Malawi National Dance Troupe.

Set among the early Ngoni settlers in Nyasaland (now Malawi), Bilimankhwe centres on two young lovers who face a deadly obstacle to their pristine love.

“The story is both frightening and humorous. It is packed with incessant action involving heroic adventures, man’s daring philosophies, religious beliefs, witchcraft and magic, native authorities, ceremonial events, violence and conspiracy, and love,” explains Kaluwire.

The author admittedly decided to write the book following the success of a music masterpiece he wrote as part of his dissertation for his master’s degree in music composition.

Explains Kaluwire: “The music arrangement was based on a Bilimankhwe folk song and it inspired me to write a musical play which was performed by the students of Kamuzu Academy.

“The musical was so successful that I was yet again inspired to take the giant step of writing this book. After a thorough research about the Ngoni culture, I began to write the book.”

The author said the 89-page volume is a result of sleepless nights and open-mindedness.

“I’m very excited that the project is now over. I remember the advice that the Head of English Literature at Chancellor College gave me: The story should speak for itself, do not help to tell the story,” he said.

The book has been edited and published by Kachere Series at Chancellor College.