Why is it important for Ishi to teach Maliwal?

For Ishi, teaching Maliwal about the Yahi Way is important because it is a means of bringing his two worlds together. Even though Maliwal is a saldu born into the saldu world, he listens to Ishi and looks up to him as if he were a Yahi wanasi and Ishi were his elder. Ishi is able to fulfill the role that he should fill in his village by teaching Maliwal, and he ensures that his knowledge will benefit the next generation.