It has become an overland tradition especially for us crew working at Acacia Africa to get involved with the Kande pig spit evening and dress up party. It always seems to be a highlight of the tour and an eventful one at that!
Before preparation begins we stop of at a local town Mzuzu (southbound trips – Northbound it’s a surprise!) where we place all the clients and crew’s names in the sorting hat. After a random draw and everyone has picked a name we head for the markets for and interesting clothes bartering expedition for each other. Mmmm ..You can only imagine what gets bought!
Once the clothes are hidden from all eyes to see (this is the surprise dress up party so no-one knows what you have bought until the night) we head for the bottle store to purchase our drinks or *Juice for the evening. Yes… this event is a dress up and punches night with an amazing local prepared dinner- Malawian style!
How the day begins.… As the driver of our truck, I am the chosen one where I head outside the gates of Kande to negotiate a prize for our pig… Once settled, I get the fire going and prep the pig for roasting for the day, scoring the skin to make crackling – a true African way basting it with lots of salt, herbs and oil. Once this is up and going, we employ one of the locals or who is a true roasting chef and enjoys hanging out and interacting with the group.
‘Hakuna Matata’ No Worries! as Furtune our driver prepares the ‘Pig Spit’ Image by Fortune Mutiti
After a whole day of pig preps Darlington our trusty tour guide gathers the group together to cut the fruit for the punch and makes all the salads and breads to compliment the dinner. Once this is all ready… The first glass of punch is poured, the pig is carved and we enjoy an amazing dinner around the fire.
Now… the evening begins where we all gather our costumes bought for each other and we start presenting the chosen out fits. After many photos’s and lots of laughs we change into our outfits for the evening to celebrate our night in Malawi whilst enjoying the tranquility of the Lake, good music, great fire on the beach, the punch and great company! What more can you ask for?
A stop in Kande Beach, Malawi is a sure must destination that you will certainly remember forever!
Written by: Fortune Mutiti 
and Darlington Rukodza– Acacia’s road crew
