Menno Welling
Leader of the ICAHM Africa Initiative

Menno Welling studied cultural anthropology and archaeology of Africa at Leiden University, The Netherlands and Syracuse University, New York. He conducted fieldwork in various African countries. His PhD research concerned the Lundu kingdom and the Mbona rain cult in southern Malawi. Having noted the decline of Malawi’s historical awareness and neglect of monuments and archaeological sites, he established Mlambe Foundation for the preservation of the country’s cultural heritage through education. One of its achievements is the construction of Tisunge! Lower Shire Heritage Centre.

He subsequently joined the newly established Catholic University of Malawi to set up Malawi’s first Anthropology-Archaeology program. He became the founding Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. He recently introduced contract archaeology in Malawi by setting up African Heritage – Research & Consultancy.

In 2009, he received an award from President Bingu wa Mutharika for his efforts to preserve Malawi’s rich cultural heritage.

Email: mennowelling@yahoo.com