Seattle Malawi Association

The Malawi Seattle Association (MSA) comprises people of Malawian origin as well as those that are Malawian at heart who have come to make their home in the State of Washington. The Association serves to promote the welfare of its members so that they can reach their full potential in their endeavors.

The Malawian trail to the farthest corner of the United States was first blazed in the early 1960s by the likes of one Legson Kaira and others. Kaira is known for having covered 2,500 miles by foot from Malawi to Sudan where he got onto a plane to come to Skagit College in his quest to seek better opportunities in the United States. Kayira went on to meet his objective of advancing in education to doctorate level before going to settle in the UK.

Since then, many Malawians have trekked to this Pacific Northwest and, while no one has to walk as he did, the motive remains the same – to seek the American dream while remaining true to ourselves.

Malawi Seattle Association will be performing Ingoma dance at Big Day of Play. This is a warrior dance which was initially performed when men were going to or returning from war.  Nowadays the dance is performed when there is a celebration like weddings or coronation of a king. Men wore leopard print as a symbol of being powerful.