Chifundo Artisans' Network Balaka, Malawi

Restaurant to Open May 1, 2011

2011-03-12T08:52:00.003+02:00

Whew! Chifundo is getting a make-over! It's been 8 years since we opened in March 2003... and we want to celebrate with our customers in style.

Three weeks ago we started a major renovation - it's been exhilarating (and very dusty).

The transformation in almost complete. The (fantastic) builders finished on Friday. Now it's time for the painters to do their magic.

We're managing to keep an ad hoc shop open during the whole ordeal, but the cafe had to close. We appologize for the inconvenience.

But here's the GOOD NEWS! We are re-opening the cafe on May 1, 2011. And we will be serving food! (It's about time, we know!)

We look forward to your visit!

Cinnamon Rolls at the Garden Cafe... see you in May!

Lonely Planet - Chifundo gets inside!

2010-10-16T17:42:00.003+02:00

I was in an Italian bookstore the other day and noticed the new edition of Malawi-Zambia Lonely Planet.

Of course, the first thing I did was look up Balaka. And what did I find? A really great write-up about Chifundo Artisans' Network.

What a moment! Seeing Chifundo in Lonely Planet was a huge wonderful feeling of "we made it!"

And there was more...

There was a mention about taking a bicycle taxi to "4 Ways Bottle Store" located near the artisans workshop.

My favorite place to hang out with friends, humble "4 Ways" mentioned in Lonely Planet. Very cool, indeed.

So it's official - Chifundo Artisans' Network (and 4 Ways Bottle Store) are well worth a visit when you come to Malawi. See you there!

The technique - flour batik

2009-02-18T16:16:00.021+02:00

How do we make our hand painted textiles?

The process is rich in African tradition - but adapted to a modern world. It's time consuming and requires skill and patience - but the results are amazing and worth the effort!

Zimbabwe is the most famous African country for contemporary hand painted flour batiks, and I'm guessing that this is where the modern technique originated. You can find beautiful batiks from Zimbabwe in many craft markets around Africa. They are a real treasure - and a source of inspiration for many of the "African" designs you see around the world.

The technique used in Zimbabwe and in our studio is often called "flour paste batik" or "sadza batik". Sadza is the name for maize porridge in Zimbabwe - similar to our "nsima" here in Malawi. This is the staple food for millions of Africans. If you are planning a visit to Malawi make sure you try it. You can't really say you've experienced the country if you don't sit down to meal of Nsima. (You might be surprised at how many people miss out on this part of the cultural experience. Don't be one of them.)

Back to the process:

In the old days, people used feathers to draw lines of paste (maize flour and water) on cloth, or painted the paste onto the cloth using a stencil. It can be cooked into a glossy glue (which is more resistant to dye) or left in it's raw state. Today, most "flour batik" artists probably use ketchup bottles (or something similar) filled with the paste for drawing the lines. We use professional "outliner" bottles, available at many craft stores.

To make the paste, we simply mix water and flour (corn flour or wheat flour) with a handheld blender. We use different consistancies of paste depending on the type of design we are making.

After filling the paste bottles - the artisans begin to draw the designs on the 100% cotton cloth.

When the paste lines are dry, it's time to start painting with professional "textile paints".

(Textile paints can be found in many craft stores. A good resource for those of you living in the US or Canada is the online retailer Dharma Trading Co.)

We buy huge drums of the mix medium (called "extender") and bottles of pigment. We mix everything by hand in the studio - there's no formula, just a lot of testing! Our colors are always different, and this keeps our products unique. Choosing a "group" of colors for the designs is one of the most difficult and exciting parts of the process. You can play it "safe" and use a set of colors that is easy on the eyes - or you can go for it, and create a palette that is completely unexpected . At Chifundo, we try to combine colors that reflect Africa and add something unique and inspiring to your home. If you want to decorate like everybody else in the neighborhood, you probably won't find what you are looking for at our studio!

After the painted cloth dries for a few days in the sun (it must be VERY dry) we bake it in our studio oven (built using local materials) at about 150 degrees for 15-20 minutes. If you are trying this at home, follow the directions for your particular textile paint. It's possible to heatset the paint by ironing the cloth for a few minutes on both sides. Or you can bake the cloth in your kitchen oven (this is how we did it in the beginning...I'm lucky my husband didn't leave me.)

We then scrape off the paste (with spatulas) to reveal the white lines left behind by the paste resist. The cloth is then washed and taken back outside to dry in the sun. After all this, the cloth is ready for the tailoring department, where the ladies sew our cushion covers, handbags, beadspreads and table cloths.

How much time does it take to finish a cushion cover? We do everything in stages - and the artisans work as a team, so a batch of cushion covers takes around a week to finish. If it's raining, or there's no power, the process can take up to 3 weeks... During the rainy season it's almost impossible to work, so we switch gears and work on our other projects.

Once the textiles are finished they are moved into our studio store. New items are always arriving - so be sure to stop by the next time you pass through Balaka!

Top 10 Things to do in Balaka UPDATED

2009-02-12T19:42:00.009+02:00

"Top 10 Things to do in Balaka"

The following list is in no particular order - Andrea and I had a hard time agreeing on what deserved to go where. All very worth while activities! (And I am not receiving any free fried chicken or beer from any of the places mentioned!)

#10 Take a bicycle taxi to Kankao - amazing views, 40 minutes of pure magic - at a cost of Euro 3. Please tip the driver extra depending on your weight. I always buy him a coke, too. Not that I'm fat.

#9 ICE CREAM at the Balaka BP station. Already famous for delicious samosas and a variety of other snacks "for the road" the friendly BP station now has ice cream. Vanilla and Strawberry. Yummy. Not so easy to eat while driving, though.

#8 The Balaka 6AM train to Najuchi (Mozambique Border) - slow but sure, and see breathtaking vistas of Chilwa Lake and unspoiled villages that scream "The Real Africa!" Just be sure you have a Visa already in your passport if you want to travel on to Mozambique. (This is an all day journey, to and from - but one of the best I can imagine in Africa, for those with an adventurous heart.)

#7 Reconciliation Chapel at PFM (Prison Fellowship Malawi). This small but culturally rich chapel has wood carving "paintings" made by famous Fr. Boucher himself. Also pick up some delicious bread from the PFM bakery.

#6 Concert at Zembani Lodge. The lodge, owned by famous musician Lucius Banda, is the place to be when Lucius is performing. On quiet nights when there's no show on the stage you can enjoy a game of pool or drinks at the bar. Be sure to buy Lucius a drink (not beer!) if he's around. Very Cool Cat.

#5 Mlambe Hotel for Fried Chicken! I don't know what it is about Balaka - but they make the best fried chicken in the world. I'm serious. Some Tips: Order the chips "azungu style" meaning really crispy. Plan at least 40 -60 minutes in advance - the kitchen is small and everything is prepared on the spot. Play pool while you are waiting (or let your 70s spirit free and dance to ABBA in the bar). And leave a tip. The waiter deserves it - and will remember that you like your chips "crispy crispy!"

#4 Chikondi Stopover aka "Makadali": We love this place! It's sortof surreal - you ask yourself, "where am I?" Ice Cold Guiness and just about every beer from around Africa (and beyond). We heard a restaurant is coming soon. For now enjoy snacky foods like fried chicken and samosas. Located about 10 minutes from Balaka town.

#3 Balaka Market. Wander through the stalls and find all the clothes you will ever need, more dried fish than you will ever want, and an amazing variety of fruits and vegetables... and bicycle parts... and God knows what else. Colorful and friendly - take all your "Look at me in Africa!" pictures.

#2 4 Ways Bottlestore. This is OUR hangout. Serious discussions about politics, development and current events. Not so serious discussions when we are dancing on the bar and laughing at bad jokes. This is the bar where rounds of beer are bought and friendships are made. I have learned about life in this place. Expect to buy a few rounds and defend your position. (Note: The more rounds you buy, the more your position will be considered.) *** Patrick (owner of 4 Ways) just opened a new place called ZUC LODGE. It's getting rave reviews as the "IN" place to stay in Balaka. Reservations: 0888 300 478 or 0881 700 045. ***

#1 Shopping at Chifundo. Well, of course! :)

Tamara and Patrick at 4 Ways

Our Products

2009-02-10T10:29:00.015+02:00

What will you find when you come to Chifundo Artisans Network?

If you come Monday-Friday you will be able to take a tour of our studio, and get some great pictures of the artisans at work. On the weekends the artisans are usual home, but our store and cafe remain open - and Silvia will be there to show you around.

Our products include:

Hand Painted Textiles (cushion covers, wall hangings, table runners and bed covers)

Handmade Recycled Paper (and you can watch the ladies making the paper in our studio)

Dolls (dressed in traditional Malawian "chitenje")

Wire and Bead crafts (bracelets, Christmas Ornaments, elephants)

Monkey Oranges (fabulously original table decoration - fruit with attitude)

Handmade Notebooks, Handbags, Change Purses...

You might even find everyone dancing - as it seems we are always finding another excuse for a party. Get on your chitenje - you will be dancing, too!

Our cafe is simple - cold drinks, tea and coffee. Feel free to bring a sack lunch and eat in our garden. Have a meeting - or just chill out with a book. It's very peaceful and my cats love the company.

Those of you coming via Mini Bus can ask the "bicycle taxis" to take you to 4 WAYS bottle store. You can follow the signs from there - or ask Patrick at the bottlestore for directions. It should be about K50 for the bicycle taxi. What a deal!

Look - visitors on their way to Chifundo via Bicycle Taxi!

For those with private transportation - follow the directions on the sidebar.

We look forward to your visit!