By Innocent Manda
Malawians living in South Korea under the banner Malawians Living in South Korea and Associates (MALIKA) participated, for the first time, in the 8th Seoul African Festival, showcasing their nation’s culture to an international audience.
The event, held on September 13, 2025, in Seoul, attracted thousands of Africans, Koreans, and international visitors.
The festival celebrates Africa’s diversity, culture, and talent through performances, food, beverages, crafts, and fashion.
According to Sthembile Mhango, a MALIKA organiser and master’s student at Soongil University, Malawi’s absence in previous editions of the festival inspired the group’s participation this year.
“All other African countries have been represented, but Malawi has never had a presence. We wanted to show that Malawi has a vibrant culture,” Mhango said.
She further explained that the main goal was to introduce Malawi’s culture and offer visitors a meaningful experience of the country’s warmth, diversity, and heritage.“We wanted to introduce our culture and let people experience Malawi through food, music, crafts, and traditional clothing,” Mhango added.
Christina Kalawa, one of the members who prepared food, expressed joy at seeing people enjoy Malawian dishes, although the portions had to be small due to limited resources.
“I felt so happy and wished we had prepared more. Most people loved our food, and everything finished quickly. Malawi Gin and Brandy were also very popular,” Kalawa said.
Despite the success, Mhango noted that financial constraints were a major challenge since most members are students.
However, the group managed to raise over K2 million through contributions.
One of the festival-goers, a Mr Kisung, a Korean visitor, expressed excitement at experiencing Malawian cuisine and culture for the first time, describing nsima as the most enjoyable discovery of the day.
“I am so happy to learn about Malawi. The food tastes amazing, especially the nsima,” Kisung said.
MALIKA’s participation in the Seoul African Festival marked a milestone for Malawi’s representation abroad, successfully showcasing the country’s cuisine, crafts, music, and traditions while fostering international cultural awareness and appreciation.
