The Elliot Kenan Kamwana Chirwa impact on Malawi and influence from Joseph Booth

The Elliot Kenan Kamwana Chirwa impact on Malawi and influence from Joseph Booth

Born in 1884 in Nkhata Bay and educated at Bandawe and Livingstonia Mission.  By 1905 Kamwana had left the Livingstonia mission and went to Cape Town in South.

Kamwana met Joseph Booth at Cape Town. Booth had been deported from Nyasaland by Alfred Sharpe in 1899-1902 for agitating that Nyasaland should become independent by 1921.

As Booth could return to Nyasaland, he recruited and trained Kamwana to return to Nyasaland with The Watch Tower Movement[Jehovah Witnesses].

Kamwana returned to Nyasaland in 1909. He started preaching that, "In 1914 there will be armageddon.... Nyasaland will be ruled by the natives who will be making their own gunpowder, boats etc''

With this message, Kamwana managed to baptise 10,000 natives in Nkhata bay alone in 1909. He revolutionised the whole country. 

Kamwana was arrested dragged to Zomba where the govt decided to deport him. 

Kamwana stayed in exile at Chinde, Mocambique where he continued writing John Chilembwe for assistance.

By 1914 the Nyasaland govt reviewed Kamwana's deportation and brought him back to Nyasaland. Kamwana was placed in detention at Mulanje.

After the 1915 Uprising, evidence surfaced that Kamwana and John Chilembwe were planning together the Uprising. 

Kamwana's friend Mwenda betrayed him at the Commission of Inquiry by giving evidence that Kamwana was working together with Chilembwe.

Kamwana was summoned to the Inquiry in Blantyre. The Commission presented letters and evidence that Kamwana was receiving financial help from Chilembwe.

The govt deported Kamwana indefinitely to Mauritius and afterwards to Seychelles. Kamwana and a lot of his Nyasa followers went in exile in Seychelles.

In Seychelles, Kamwana was not allowed to meet 10 people at once as he was considered a danger to the society.

Kamwana was pardoned during the King's Coronation in 1937 and was allowed to return to Nyasaland after 27 years in exile.

When he returned he formed another mission "Mpingo wa Yehova ndi A Mikayele" 

His new message was that John Chilembwe fought for justice and that the natives should not despair as the fight which was started in 1915 would be won in future. 

The natives in the late 30s believed Kamwana's Vision on Nyasaland liberation.

His disciples like Charles Chidongo Chinula et al were part of the group that formed the Nyasaland African Congress.

Kamwana died in 1956 2 years before Dr Banda returned.

Elliot Kamwana Chirwa, Charles Domingo and John Chilembwe are regarded as the forefathers of Nyasaland liberation by the colonial papers.

Kamwana's stick, fly whisk and hat are still used by his successors of Mpingo wa Yehova ndi a Mikayele.

My uncle from my father's side,, Mr Saikonde used to wear a blue badge "Ndife a Mpingo wa Yehova ndi A Mikayele". I grew up seeing that badge on his jacket.  

The last time he visited in 2003,, We were having breakfast at Chirimba home. I asked him what was the meaning of his badge. 

He  just replied,,,""Ife nda Mikayeletu."

The conversation that ensued on the table revealed that it was a church, not some sort of an association as I was meant to believe.

In the picture, Joseph Booth and his students. Standing in the middle is Elliot Kamwana Chirwa.