Attitudes about Altitudes: Ecopoetic Visions of Mulanje Mountain in Malawian Verse

“Hence! Wilt thou lift up Olympus?” (Shakespeare, Julius Caesar) On 11th July 2025, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced the designation of Mulanje Mountain in Malawi as a World Heritage Site. This development brought joy to many Malawians, who rightly understood that it was a boost in efforts to preserve the natural flora and fauna on the mountain. It served as a reminder of the way this natural feature has been sung of in artistic works from the country. Mulanje Mountain is Malawi’s highest mountain, with its highest peak, Sapitwa, recorded at an altitude of 3,003 metres above sea level. For many years, the mountain has been a site of attraction for hikers, some of whom have unfortunately perished on its slopes. Such events have added to the mystique of the mountain, which is also embellished by the folklore about it, which many in Malawi already know of. The geographical features of the mountain are well-recorded. However, what have received less attention are the artistic renditions in various forms, such as the poetry, or, more specifically, what has come to be known as ecopoetry.