Cultural solution: How Mbenje Island’s traditional ways are sustaining fish stocks

By Owen Nyaka:

While fish catches in Malawi have generally dwindled due to over-fishing, the traditional stewardship of Mbenje Island in Salima District is sustaining fish stocks.

Hundreds of years ago, the island was a permanent home for some people.

These communities lived comfortably in grass-thatched houses in the mountainous part of island in the middle of Lake Malawi.

In terms of traditional beliefs, it was no ordinary place. Men would report meeting apparitions while on fishing expeditions. Others would say they faced violent storms whenever someone killed a snake species that is endemic on the island.

Today, many things have changed. For instance, many of the descendants of Mbenje settlers now live at Chikombe beach within Senior Chief Makanjira. Nevertheless, some cultural beliefs remain strong.

For example, there is special care given to graves of early chiefs who the community believes to be the givers of the plentiful and big species of fish on the island.

Chikombe Beach Village Committee (BVC) chairperson Rabisoni Chipangula who also doubles as Secretary for Mbenje Island Committee acknowledges how the environmental management beliefs set by their ancestors have helped to preserve fish species on the island.

“We don’t just fish at Mbenje; fishing is much regulated. Anyone approved by the BVC can fish on the island. The leadership of Senior Chief Makanjira encourages us to do regular monitoring if fishermen are complying with our values and strict rules.

“We do patrols to confiscate illegal fishing gears and we make sure that fishermen catch the recommended harvestable fish for consumption,” says Chipangula.

He says the people developed bylaws which local government authorities endorsed.

The bylaws were structured in such a way that they allow agricultural production to alternate with fishing. From December to April, it is fishing off-season. This is meant to allow fish to breed. But that is also the time within which Malawi’s farming season runs.

Senior Group Village Headman Mpiringidzo says their rules are highly respected and that youths understand the value of cultural heritage in managing natural resources on the island.

“We want them to embrace conservation methods that have sustained abundant fish catches in our area because the lake belongs to them and their children,” he says.

Mpiringidzo boasts that Mbenje is pure and very spiritual. The islanders live a communal life.

And there is punishment for violating the laws. When caught stealing, killing a bird or snake and consuming alcohol on the island, one is fined or chased out. The funds collected through fines are used to enhance enforcement of the bylaws.

Snakes on the island, according to both Chipangula and GVH Mpiringidzo, are friendly. They can grow as long as two metres. They don’t bite.

Women are not allowed to visit the island to avoid the wrath of the spirits. It is meant to prevent sexual practices that could attract the anger of the gods.

Chipangula says this is not some form of gender discrimination but rather a way to keep law and order. He recalls one incident when a female Japanese journalist insisted going to the island. She suddenly fell got sick on her way and her boat was buffeted by heavy winds.

When the fishing season opens, 3,000 fishermen camp at Mbenje Island for eight months.

Yamikani Chitete, former District Commissioner for Salima, says in 2015 when she was administrator for the district, she had a chance to go closer to the island. She was strongly advised not to get out of the boat because snakes would bite her.

Chitete, a gender activist, says the bylaw barring women on the island sounds in order culturally, although it is something hard to understand.

“The fact that men stay there for a long time without their spouses is also another issue which backs the bylaw that if women are allowed, they would be sexual escapades,” says Chitete.

She says while fishing is traditionally done by men in Malawi, women are involved in selling the fish; so as long as the fish reaches the female vendors, the gender balance is achieved in the supply chain of fish.

Former cabinet minister, Ken Lipenga, a national fisheries champion, visited Mbenje a day before the official opening of 2024 fishing season to appreciate the community-led conservation efforts.

Lipenga says chiefs across the country should emulate the example and advocate the bottom-up approach in safeguarding fish as is being done on Mbenje Island.

He says Mbenje’s case is inspiring – the intricate traditional beliefs which the islanders hold dear to promote viable fishing habits.

GVH Kachere of Likoma Island agrees with Lipenga, saying the Mbenje fishing model needs to be replicated in other communities across.

He says there is no closed fishing season at Likoma. To revive catches, Mbenje’s practices are an example to borrow a leaf from, he says.

At Mbenje Island, no fishing activity is allowed during closed fishing season. This has turned Mbenje into a goldmine for fishing