Religious Education: Major Faiths in Malawi
What the domain tests
This section tests knowledge of the major faiths in Malawi, their beliefs and practices, and how people of different faiths live together.
Core ideas
- Christianity is the largest faith. Major traditions include Catholic, CCAP (Presbyterian), Anglican, Baptist and Pentecostal churches. Central beliefs include God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, prayer, baptism and love of neighbour.
- Islam is the second largest faith, with Sunni communities and traditions such as Qadiriya and Sukuti. Beliefs include one God (Allah), the Prophet Muhammad, the Qur'an, prayer, fasting in Ramadan, charity and pilgrimage.
- African Traditional Religion is practised by some communities. It includes belief in a Supreme Being, respect for ancestors, offerings, and ceremonies for birth, marriage, healing and death.
- The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Malawians generally live peacefully across faiths, sharing schools, markets and workplaces.
- Festivals include Christmas and Easter for Christians, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha for Muslims, and traditional ceremonies for ATR adherents.
Worked example
A Muslim pupil is fasting during Ramadan and has a football match. A good answer says the school should respect the pupil's religious duty, adjust strenuous activity if possible, and ensure the pupil is not mocked. Reasoning: freedom of religion is a constitutional right, and respect is a moral value.
Traps that cost marks
Do not treat all Christians as one church. Do not say ATR has no belief in God. Do not confuse Eid al-Fitr with Eid al-Adha. Do not describe one faith using another faith's terms.