the who
We’re just a bunch of white guys with varied life experience in Malawi and Mozambique who seek to do
the what
a bike tour that follows, as accurately as possible, the 19th century trade route through Yawo villages
the where
from Mpondas–Mangochi–Malawi to Mwembe–Niassa–Mozambique ending at Kilwa Kivinje–Tanzania
the when
hoping to embark in late 2010, completing the Malawi portion of the expedition at least, with plans to do Mozambique in 2011 and Tanzania in 2012.
the why
It’s a chance to collect oral histories, if they still exist; it’s a look at how the region has changed in 100+ years; an excuse to have fun, meet new people, and do something kinda cool in the name of African history
More about the biker explorers
- Tim Cowley. American-born photographer, media specialist and community development worker in Malawi for 5 years, now based out of Mandimba, Mozambique the past 3. Aside from English, gets around fine in Portuguese and Ciyawo.
- Ian Dicks, Ph.D.. Australian Anthropologist and published author specializing in cultural aspects of the Amachinga Yawo people of Malawi with over 15 years in Malawi. Teaches Yawo cultural and language material to expats living in Yawo areas. Currently working on a Yawo-English dictionary.
Mark Jones. British photographer, based in Blantyre, Malawi, with actual experience doing a real bike tour in Europe.
Keith Eden. South African adventurer who enjoys kayaking down the Lugenda River each year. The best Portuguese speaker of the group and currently living in Meponda, Mozambique (on the lake just west of Lichinga).
Keith Moller. Another South African, based in Malawi for over ten years, involved in ag/forest development work among many other community projects.
Some research materials we’ve found helpful:
- “Slave Routes and Oral Tradition in Southeastern Africa”, edited by Benigna Zimba, Edward Alpers, Allen Isaacman. Contains some fantastic articles to help round out various aspects of the slave trade specifically coming out of Mozambique.
- “Ivory and Slaves in East Central Africa” (1975), Edward Alpers
- “Trade, State and Society Among the Yao in the Nineteenth Century”, Journal of African History 1969 pp 405-420
- “Fighting the Slave Hunters in Central Africa”, Alfred J. Swann, 1910
- “My African Reminisences”, W.P. Johnson
- David Livingstone’s Last Journals, edited by Horace Waller
- “The Yaos”, Y.B. Abdallah
- Chauncey Maples may have some works touching on this subject. Dr. E. Alpers tells us “he may also have walked some of that route, though most of his time was spent in soputheastern Tanzania”
- “Terres Vierges au Mozambique”, Francois Balsan (a 1960′s account of traveling in Niassa Province)
Curious about where you acquire bikes suitable in Mangochi region. Maybe showcase local bike dealers and watering holes on the route.
Hope to see you late August 2011.
All of our bikes have been imported from outside the country. Mangochi won’t have anything available of a good standard, unless you happen across a private vendor. I recommend Africycle, a second-hand seller with bikes from Canada located in 5 Mile, just outside of Zomba. Another place to check is at the Bee Hive in Chilomoni at the Catholic church, also selling secondhand imports from England (I think). You can buy new bikes at Game and Shoprite, but the standard is still not so good (imported South African mountain bikes).