Malawian people migrated to North America from Malawai, officially the Republic of Malawi, a landlocked country in southeast Africa formerly known as Nyasaland bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west.

Malawi's official language is English. Other languages spoken in Malawi include Chichewa, a language spoken by over 57% of the population, Chinyanja (12.8%), Chiyao (10.1%), and Chitumbuka (9.5%).

Malawian people mainly are in academics, small business owners, medical professionals, and laborers. They are educated having at least a high school diploma or above.

They reside in larger metro areas such as Washington, D. C. which is home to the Malawi Washington Association, and Seattle, Washington.

The majority of Malawaian people belong to the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian.