The market is a lovely place to buy souvenirs, though you have to have a lot of patience in bargaining. A good tip is to first go without any money (so you just CAN'T buy anything) and take a look at each stand. That way you know where they have the nicest things, and the things you like the most. Then you choose one or more stands where you always go to, so people know when you enter the market that you're not coming for them, but that you'll probably be going to your usual vendors. It worked for me and I made some good friends there. Almost every day I went to the market just to chat with people, without buying anything. The other vendors notice that you won't be buying so they don't come to you the whole time...

The market near the shopright in Lilongwe is a great opportunity to buy some nice Malawian woodwork and instruments. You really have to bargain there, otherwise they rip you off. But it is very nice to stroll round there and talk to the people. You also can watch them carving the wood. Another great tip is a similar market on the road from Lilongwe to Salima. Way cheaper than the market in Lilongwe and very nice woodwork, instruments, stools, ...