By AD 1500, the two divisions of the tribe had established a kingdom stretching from north of the present-day city of Nkhotakota to the Zambezi River in the south, and from Lake Malawi in the east, to the Luangwa River in Zambia in the west. Migrations and tribal conflicts precluded the formation of a cohesive Malawian society until the turn of the 20th century. In more recent years, ethnic and tribal distinctions have diminished. Regional distinctions and rivalries, however, persist. Despite some clear differences, no significant friction currently exists between tribal groups, and the concept of a Malawian nationality has begun to take hold. Predominantly a rural people, Malawians are generally conservative and traditionally nonviolent.left|thumb|312x312px|Malawi health passport showing 3 languages most used in Malawi, English (red dot), Chewa (blue dot) and Tumbuka (green dot). The Chewas constitute 90% of the population of the central region; the Nyanja tribe predominates in the south and the Tumbuka in the north. In addition, significant numbers of the Tongas live in the north; Ngonis—an offshoot of the Zulus who came from South Africa in the early 19th century—live in the lower northern and lower central regions; and the Yao, who are mostly Muslim, predominate in the Southern Region of the country and live in a wide band from Blantyre and Zomba north to Lake Malawi and east to the border with Mozambique. Bantus of other tribes came from Mozambique as refugees.
by ad 1500 the two divisions of the tribe had established a kingdom stretching from north of the present-day city of nkhotakota to the zambezi river in the south and from lake malawi in the east to the luangwa river in zambia in the west migrations and tribal conflicts precluded the formation of a cohesive malawian society until the turn of the 20th century in more recent years ethnic and tribal distinctions have diminished regional distinctions and rivalries however persist despite some clear differences no significant friction currently exists between tribal groups and the concept of a malawian nationality has begun to take hold predominantly a rural people malawians are generally conservative and traditionally nonviolentleft|thumb|312x312px|malawi health passport showing 3 languages most used in malawi english (red dot) chewa (blue dot) and tumbuka (green dot) the chewas constitute 90% of the population of the central region; the nyanja tribe predominates in the south and the tumbuka in the north in addition significant numbers of the tongas live in the north; ngonis—an offshoot of the zulus who came from south africa in the early 19th century—live in the lower northern and lower central regions; and the yao who are mostly muslim predominate in the southern region of the country and live in a wide band from blantyre and zomba north to lake malawi and east to the border with mozambique bantus of other tribes came from mozambique as refugees