Historical Overview

Early human inhabitants date back to 8000-2000 B.C. Bantu speaking people migrated there between 1 and 4 A.D. A large slave trade took place in the 18th and 19th century which brought Islam to the country. The first European to make extensive explorations in the area was David Livingstone in the 1850s and 1860s. In 1884, Cecil Rhodes's British South African Company received a charter to develop the country. The company came into conflict with the Arab slavers in 1887–1889. Britain annexed what was then called the Nyasaland territory in 1891. On July 6, 1964, Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi. Two years later, it became a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations. Dr. Hastings K. Banda became Malawi's first prime minister .