Malawi, established as the British protectorate of Nyasaland in 1891,
gained its independence in 1964 and moved immediately into three decades
of one-party rule. Since the mid-1990s, however, the country has held
multi-party elections, as directed by its constitution, and President
Bingu wa Mutharika is currently serving his second term. The fourth
edition of the Historical Dictionary of Malawi, now newly expanded and
updated, covers a wide range of areas in Malawi history, including the
rise and fall of state systems, religious and socio-political movements,
the economy, environment, transportation, war, disease, and natural
sciences. Author Owen J. M. Kalinga charts developments from pre-history
to the post-Banda Malawi, from Tom Bokwito to James Sangala, and from
the UMCA mission at Magomero to the second term of Bingu wa Mutharika's
presidency, paying particular attention to the individuals, groups,
communities, and forces that have molded this South African country.