Muli Bwanji

Language is culture. In Chichewa, the word for hello is “moni”. However, I’ve learned that Malawians don’t even use this greeting. Instead, they say “Muli bwanji?” which means: How are you?”

In African culture in general, no one is in a hurry. They have the time to ask, muli bwanji, and go into a nice long conversation. No one is rushing through greetings. They take their time to do things or get places. If something isn’t accomplished today, they have tomorrow. Things move at such a slow pace it feels almost relaxing. They linger a little longer. 

American culture is the complete opposite. It  is often characterized by a fast-paced lifestyle where efficiency and productivity are highly valued. Our “hello’s” are usually done in acknowledgment and we don’t necessarily look for a reply. Even if we ask, “how are you?” we are expecting to hear, “I’m fine”, if we even wait for a reply. We are always in a rush to complete a task, always in a hurry to arrive somewhere. We try to finish as much as we can today because there are a thousand things to do tomorrow. There is not enough time. The concept of time is a precious commodity in American culture, with individuals constantly trying to make the most of each moment.