Mozambique is a country located in southeastern Africa, bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east and several neighboring countries, including Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Swaziland. The country has a population of approximately 29 million people and its capital and largest city is Maputo. Mozambique has a diverse cultural heritage, reflecting its history of Portuguese colonization, African traditions, and Arab and Indian influences. The country is known for its stunning natural beauty, including pristine beaches, lush forests, and rolling hills. Some of its popular tourist destinations include the Bazaruto Archipelago, Gorongosa National Park, and Ilha de Mozambique.
In 1980s Mozambique, the country was in a state of civil war and chaos. Two refugees, an elderly man and a young boy, were seeking shelter from the violence and destruction. In their travels, they stumbled upon a burnt-out bus with a dead passenger inside. Among the effects of that passenger was a set of notebooks filled with stories about his life. The young boy read them out loud to the old man as they sought solace in the vehicle, and both the storyteller’s tale and their own plight began to intertwine. Written in 1992 by Mia Couto, this first novel portrayed the immense suffering experienced by those directly affected by war. It was not only an eye-opening account of what had happened during that time period but also served as an incisive critique of how these conflicts can devastate people’s lives and communities. Despite being written decades later, it still resonates powerfully today – with its vivid descriptions of human courage through adversity making it an unforgettable work.
At the young age of 6, Clemantine Wamariya began to witness the signs of a genocide occurring in her home country of Rwanda. She heard her parents speaking in hushed whispers and noticed neighbors starting to suddenly disappear. Her brother said that the loud, unsettling noises were just “thunder”, but this was actually the sound of war and terror looming in their homeland. In a mere 100 days time, more than 800,000 people were brutally murdered and millions more were displaced from their homes.
Mwanito’s story in The Tuner of Silences, the eighth novel by the celebrated Mia Couto, is one that focuses on his struggle to uncover a family history that has been long kept silent by his father. But when a mysterious young woman arrives in Jezoosalem, this veil of silence around the past quickly unravels and he begins to hear tales from his father’s life and the world around him. This book was highly acclaimed upon its release in 2011, being crowned as one of the most important works published in France that year. It serves as an intense exploration of the bitter legacies left behind by war, which can be passed down for generations. Through Mwanito’s personal journey to discover his family’s hidden truths and bring these secrets into the light, readers are taken on a truly remarkable exploration of tragedy and love against all odds. The Tuner of Silences also celebrates resilience, forcing readers to confront some hard truths while also recognizing how it is possible to find joy even amidst seemingly insurmountable darkness.
Set in Maputo province in the 1950s and 1960s, Tales from Maputo is a collection of seven short stories that take readers through a captivating journey of rural Mozambique.
Nelio was one of the millions of destitute people who had no choice but to “eat life raw”. Over the course of nine nights, he shared his harrowing story with those around him. Tragically, everything changed for him when a mass of bandits mercilessly destroyed his village and left it in ruins. Nelio was then forced to join the masses of street children living in squalor and misery in the city. Desperate to prove to his peers that there was more to life than just mere survival, Nelio resorted to an act of imagination, one which ultimately led to an early demise.
Based on the novel by Mia Couto, “Sleepwalking Land” is a 2007 film directed by Teresa Prata. Set during the Mozambican Civil War, the movie follows the intertwining stories of an old man and a young boy who find a diary amidst the chaos. The diary contains the story of a young girl named Kindzu who, despite the turmoil, manages to find hope and resilience.
The Grand Bazaar is a 2006 film that takes place in the vibrant markets of Mozambique. The movie explores the lives of various characters whose paths cross at the bustling bazaar, revealing their dreams, struggles, and desires. Through their stories, the film provides a glimpse into the social and economic dynamics of contemporary Mozambique.
Mueda, Memory and Massacre (1979) is a historical drama that examines the events surrounding the Mueda Massacre of 1960. The film portrays the political climate of the time, the tensions between colonial authorities and the local population, and the subsequent massacre that had a lasting impact on Mozambique’s struggle for independence.
The Grande Hotel in Beira, once the largest in Mozambique, now lies in ruins. Without electricity or running water, it is home to 3,500 people who have lived there for years. This luminous documentary showcases their resilience, devoid of sadness or self-pity.
Spell Reel explores the role of filmmaking during the struggle for independence in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde, which were once part of the Portuguese colonial empire. It delves into the process of collecting and preserving old footage from that era, examining how cinema can serve as a tool for capturing history and preserving cultural memory.
The music of Mozambique can be divided into several categories, including Marrabenta, Chimarrão, and traditional folk music. It has gained recognition and popularity both within the country and abroad. Many talented musicians and groups have emerged, infusing traditional styles with elements of modern pop, rock, and jazz to create new and unique sounds. Whether it’s the vibrant energy of Marrabenta, the hypnotic rhythms of Chimarrão, or the timeless beauty of traditional folk music, the music of Mozambique is a testament to the country’s rich cultural heritage.
