Malo Oti Timvetsetsane: Intertribalism in Malawian Afrobeats and Amapiano

Abstract

Afrobeats, an umbrella genre widely credited to Nigeria, evolved from a long history of musical exchange across West Africa. Amapiano, an umbrella genre from South Africa, emerged through similar cross-cultural, regional exchange. Both genres now experience global popularity, with artists from many cultures shaping their ongoing evolution. This thesis examines how Malawian musicians adapt Afrobeats and Amapiano to express an intertribal identity. Drawing on ethnographic research and musical analysis grounded in historical context, I argue that language, lyrical themes, musical characteristics, and videography transform these foreign-adopted genres into distinctly Malawian expressions — ones that foster unity at the national, regional, continental, and global levels while negotiating local Malawian identities to create a shared intertribal identity. This thesis contributes to ethnomusicological literature on contemporary Malawian music and expands theoretical notions of intertribalism in Malawian contexts.