Mafilika

 

Malawian band Mafilika was formed by five friends with the noble ambition of wanting to preserve the traditional music of their country for future generations. The band got together in 2007, with each member bringing their own background, cultural ancestry and personal music tastes to the mix, leading to an eclectic blend that includes rocks, roots, jazz and reggae.

Lilongwe-based Mafilika will be making an appearance at vinspired Lake of Stars this October, but the band are no strangers to international audiences. They represented Malawi at the Music Crossroads InterRegional Festival in 2008, and although they didn’t win they made such an impression that audiences both in Malawi and across the world have started sitting up and taking notice. In 2009 the band completed a 17-date tour of the Netherlands and in the spring of this year, they returned to Europe after winning a competition led by the World Bank and Jeunesses Musicales International, where they performed in the Fairplay Youth Voices campaign against corruption. They beat 40 other bands from across the globe to take the title.

Sam Mkandawire, keyboardist and vocalist, said the band was "over the moon" with the win. "We promise to continue doing Malawi proud," he added.