Eco-Decor at Mumbo Posted on: Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Unlike many upmarket lodges throughout Africa, where the emphasis is on spending vast amounts of money on interior designers and first world finishes, Mumbo Island in the Lake Malawi National Park, uses only locally made décor. All the cushions are covered in local chitenjes, the cane chairs and beds were made in Malawi, the wooden bedside cupboards were made by Kayak Africa’s workshop and the mats in the tents are woven by communities nearby. The large wooden tables and basins in the bathrooms and dining area were carved from gum trees (not indigenous) that were felled during road works and left at the side of the road. And the glasses are made from the wine bottles used on the island. Lately the island staff have learned how to make these glasses. During the quiet hours of the day, they make the glasses by tying a strip of linya (recycled strips of car tire) around the bottle and then heating it up by causing friction as two guys pull on it. They then splash the heated area with cold water and the bottle breaks cleanly. The edge is then finely sanded. The guys are paid for each glass made, which are then either used on the island, or sold in the shop and to other lodges on the beach. How is that for true recycling?

Another great idea for green décor on Mumbo is the painting of the large snail shells found on the island. Marzi Callender began this tradition fifteen years ago when Kayak Africa first won the concessions to Mumbo and Domwe Islands. Recently about fifty more shells were collected and a day spent painting them in as many shades of blue, green and turquoise as possible, in as many patterns as could be invented. Some guests offered to help, and found the experience very therapeutic. The shells are placed around the camp as little hand-made objects of beauty to lift the spirits.

And in a further move to make guests even happier (is it possible!), Renee Watson, who lives on the mainland at Cape Maclear and is a trained masseuse and pilates instructor, will come out to the island on demand to give the most healing and relaxing massage on the quiet, isolated Forest Deck. Imagine the bliss of being massaged within a tropical forest, with nothing but the sound of the wind through the leaves and a birdcall to disturb your bliss!
 

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