Recent studies have examined social and cultural perceptions of spatial relationships, with particular attention to contests over boundaries. 'Counter-mapping' offers a technique to defend local rights in these contests. However, this approach may inadequately represent certain complex socio-spatial ideas. Specifically, whereas recent studies emphasize contests over the legitimacy or location of boundaries, the case studies from Malawi in this paper illustrate equally important non-territorial

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... truggles over the meanings-the de facto rules and practices-of boundaries. These struggles, embedded in local history and culture, involve efforts to 'untie' resource rights from territorial claims. These strategies would be poorly represented or even obscured in mapping efforts focused on re-drawing linear boundaries. This suggests a need to critically examine of the use of mapping and map metaphors in social analysis and practice. International Development and the World Bank. Exceptionally helpful comments were provided by three anonymous reviewers. Above all, we thank the many people in Mchombo and Napolo villages who shared their ideas and their busy days to talk with us. Poverty, population, and tree scarcity in Malawi Malawi is one of Africa's poorest nations, reflecting the neglect and exploitation of small farmers under British colonial rule and the postcolonial regime of the late 'Life-President', Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda. For both rural and urban people, forests and woodlands represent crucial sources of firewood, poles, timber, fiber, and traditional medicine. Poverty is severe and chronic, and alternatives to forest products (e.g. electricity or kerosene for cooking) are beyond