Malawi’s hot season can be extremely uncomfortable, especially for families living in rural or peri-urban areas where electricity is either expensive, unreliable, or completely unavailable. When the sun beats down and temperatures soar, the heat can turn homes into ovens—making sleeping, cooking, and even thinking unbearable.
But here’s the good news: our ancestors survived the same climate long before fans and air conditioners existed. Using local wisdom, natural materials, and clever construction techniques, they created homes that stayed cool even in the peak of summer. Today, many of these traditional methods still work—and with a little creativity, you can adapt them to modern life.
In this blog post, we’ll explore simple but effective ways to keep your house cool during Malawi’s hot months without using a single drop of electricity. Let’s dive in.
1. Use Natural Ventilation Wisely.
One of the most powerful tools for cooling a house is airflow. When air moves freely through your home, it helps carry away the heat. Here’s how to do it effectively:
- Design Cross-Ventilation: If you’re building a home or modifying your current one, place windows or vents on opposite sides of the room so air can flow through. Even a gentle breeze can make a big difference.
- High Windows or Vents: Hot air rises. If you place small windows or air holes near the top of your walls, especially on opposite sides, it allows hot air to escape and pull in cooler air from below.
- Keep Interior Doors Open: This allows air to circulate between rooms. Closing doors traps heat and restricts natural airflow.
- Avoid Metal Windows: Metal frames absorb heat. Use wooden frames or well-painted aluminum (white or reflective) to avoid heat retention.
2. Embrace Traditional Materials: Clay and Mud.
Our elders were onto something. Clay or mud houses stay naturally cooler than cement block structures.
- Why Clay Works: Clay walls are thick and dense. They absorb heat during the day and release it slowly at night. This keeps the interior temperature stable and comfortable.
- Plaster with Cow Dung and Ash: A traditional mixture used in many villages. Cow dung not only smooths the surface but also acts as a natural insect repellent and helps regulate indoor temperature.
- Thick Walls: The thicker your walls, the better they insulate. In very hot areas, walls should ideally be 30cm or more in thickness.
If you already have a cement house, consider applying a layer of clay plaster to the interior walls to help reduce heat absorption.
3. Roofing That Rejects Heat.
The roof is often the hottest part of the house—it’s directly exposed to the sun for hours every day. But the way you design and treat your roof can make a big difference.
- Thatched Roofs: These are still among the best for hot climates. They’re natural insulators and allow hot air to escape easily. A thick thatch also absorbs less heat than iron sheets.
- Insulate Iron Sheets: If you’re using iron sheets, install an inner ceiling made of reeds, cardboard, or plywood. Leave a small air gap between the roof and ceiling—this acts like a heat barrier.
- Paint with Reflective Colors: Use white or light-colored paint on the outside of your roof. This reflects sunlight and reduces the amount of heat absorbed.
- Double Roofing: In hot zones, people sometimes add a second layer of roofing above the main roof, with space in between. This traps hot air away from the living space below.
4. Plant Natural Shade Around the House.
One of the most beautiful and effective ways to cool your home is by planting trees and vines.
- Trees: Plant large leafy trees like mango, guava, neem, or moringa on the west and east sides of your house. These block direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day.
- Climbing Vines: Grow fast-spreading climbers like pumpkin, beans, or sweet potato vines along walls or fences. They cool surfaces and improve airflow.
- Grass or Ground Cover: Avoid bare earth around the house—it absorbs heat and radiates it back. Plant grass or use mulch to reduce this effect.
- Banana or Papaya Plants: These grow fast and have wide leaves that provide excellent shade within a few months.
5. Use Light-Colored Interiors and Exteriors.
Color affects heat absorption. Darker colors absorb more heat, while lighter colors reflect it.
- Paint Walls White or Light Cream: Whether inside or outside, choose bright tones to reduce the heat your walls soak up.
- Use Light-Colored Curtains: Thin, white or cream curtains can block sunlight while still allowing air to flow.
- Avoid Dark Flooring: If you use mats or rugs, choose light shades, or roll them up during the day to keep floors cooler.
6. Smart Living Habits for Cooler Days.
Sometimes it’s the small lifestyle changes that help the most.
- Open Windows Early, Close During Peak Heat: Open all windows in the early morning (5–8 am) when the air is cool. Around midday (11am–3pm), close them to keep the hot air out.
- Use Wet Curtains or Towels: Hang damp chitenje cloths or towels in front of windows or doorways. As the wind blows through them, it cools the air inside.
- Sleep on the Floor: Heat rises, so it’s always cooler down low. Use mats or thin mattresses directly on the floor during hot nights.
- Cook Outside: Cooking indoors adds a lot of heat. Set up an outdoor kitchen or cook under a tree when possible.
7. Try an Evaporative Cooling Pot (Zeer Pot).
This is a traditional African cooling device that can also help reduce room temperature in a small space:
- Take two clay pots (one slightly smaller than the other).
- Place the small pot inside the larger one.
- Fill the gap between them with wet sand.
- Cover the top with a damp cloth.
As the water evaporates from the sand, it cools the inner pot and its surroundings. You can use it to store food, water, or simply place it in the room to help bring down the temperature.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your house cool in Malawi’s hot months doesn’t have to rely on fans, air conditioners, or Eskom power. With a few traditional tricks and natural solutions, you can turn your home into a refreshing escape from the scorching sun.
These ideas not only save energy but also preserve the environment and reconnect us with nature’s wisdom. From planting trees to building with clay, every step you take is a step toward cooler, healthier, and more sustainable living.
So next time the heat comes knocking, don’t sweat—use these age-old techniques and let the breeze take care of the rest.