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Republic of
2014
Mozambique
República de Moçambique
Mozambique’s flag is the only one in the world with a picture of a rifle on it—an AK47.
The name Mozambique is said to have come from Mussa al Mbique, an Arab sheikh (chief) who lived on Ilha de
Moçambique (Island of Mozambique) at the time of the first Portuguese colonization.
Quirimbas National Park is the largest marine protected area in Africa and includes beaches and coral reefs that
have never been explored. It is home to sea turtles, elephants, and giant coconut crabs.
Floating islands known as baixos are common around the Zambezi Delta where the river meets the ocean. These
baixos sometimes drift along the river mouths for many years, washed here and there by heavy rains.
Tropical cyclones frequently lash the coast of Mozambique, leaving a trail of damage in their wake. Mozambicans
call these twisting waterspouts “the whips of the God.”
Mozambique is known for its large snakes including puff adders, poisonous cobras, and giant African pythons,
which can be as long as 12 feet (4 m) and kill their prey by wrapping their coils around it and squeezing.
Flag
The rifle on the flag represents defense, the book symbolizes education, and the hoe
stands for agriculture. Green stands for the riches of the land. White symbolizes peace.
Black represents the African continent. Yellow symbolizes the country's minerals. Red
stands for independence.
National Image
Ilha de Moçambique (Island of Mozambique) is a small island about 3 miles (2 km) off
the coast of the mainland. It was once the capital of Portugal’s East African colony. The
Ilha, as it is called, became an important missionary spot and is now known for its many
churches and mosques.
Land and Climate
Area (sq. mi.): 308,642
Area (sq. km.): 799,380
Around the same size as Pakistan and almost twice as big as the state of California,
Mozambique is a long, narrow strip of land on the southeast coast of Africa. The
nation’s entire eastern border is coastline on the Indian Ocean. The country is divided
in half by the Zambezi River. The northern half is mostly rugged highlands covered in
forests, rocky cliffs, and mountains. Most of these mountains range from 6,000 feet
(1,829 m) to 8,000 feet (2,438 m) high. The southern half of the country is mostly
marshy, flat lowlands with many dunes and swamps. The majority of the population
lives in these lowlands, mainly in the cities. The largest cities are Maputo, Beira, and
Nampula. There are about 50 rivers that flow eastward through Mozambique. Some of
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the smaller ones are seasonal and only flow during the rainy season.
Mozambique is located south of the equator, making its summer and winter seasons
opposite of those in the United States. Mozambique’s climate is tropical, with a wet
season and a dry season. The wet season lasts from October to March, while the dry
season goes from April to November. During the wet season, the land usually receives
between 47 and 70 inches (120 and 200 cm) of rain. Monsoon winds blowing off the
Indian Ocean are also common at this time of year. During the dry season, these
monsoon winds change direction and the south suffers frequent droughts, which can
cause famine when there is not enough water to grow crops and feed the people. The
average temperature in July is around 68°F (20°C) and 85°F (29°C) in January.
Average annual precipitation in Mozambique ranges from 32 inches (800 mm) to 55
inches (1,400 mm) in the north to 24 inches (600 mm) to 32 inches (800 mm) in the
south.
Population
Population: 24,096,669
The majority of Mozambicans live in rural (countryside) areas, although many migrated to the cities during the nation’s
long civil war. Nearly all Mozambicans belong to indigenous (native) groups. The Makua are the dominant ethnic
group. There are around four million Makua people living in the northern region of Mozambique. Mozambique’s
population is young; roughly 45 percent is under age 15. Maputo, the capital and largest city, has about two million
residents.
Language
Portuguese is the official language of Mozambique. Portuguese is spoken by about one-fourth of the population as a
second language. It is used primarily in government, business, and education. English is also used in business.There
are also 13 other main national languages spoken in Mozambique, including Emakhuwa, Xitsonga, Xiyao, Xisena,
Xishona, Xuwabo, Nyanja, Xironga, Maconde, Xinyungue, Chopi, Bitonga, and Swahili. Many Mozambicans speak
more than one language in order to communicate with others.
Can You Say It in Portuguese?
Hello
Alô
(Ah-low)
Good-bye
Adeus
(Ah-DAY-oash)
Please
Por favor
(por fah-VOR)
Thank you
Obrigado
(oh-bree-GAH-doo)
Yes
Sim
(sing)
No
Não
(nowng)
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Religion
Most Mozambicans are Christian. Included among these are Roman Catholics, Zionist Christians, and other
Protestants. Muslims and Hindus are also major religious groups in the country. Even though Mozambicans may belong
to organized religions, many of them also practice their tribal beliefs, such as consulting with traditional healers. Nearly
one-fourth of the population claims to not belong to any religion.
Time Line
AD 300
AD 300
Bantu tribes migrate from southern Africa, settling in the highlands of
what is now Mozambique
700
700s
Arab traders set up trading posts along the coast
1400
1498
Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama stops in Mozambique on his way
to India
1507
The Portuguese conquer Mozambique Island
1629
King Mavura signs a treaty giving his kingdom to Portugal
1700
1790
Around nine thousand slaves are sent out of Mozambique each year at
this time
1842
Portugal outlaws the slave trade in Mozambique, but secret trade goes
on for years
1900
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1902
Lourenço Marques becomes the capital of the colony
1951
Mozambique becomes an official province of Portugal
1962
Eduardo Mondlane forms the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO)
to overthrow Portuguese rule
1974
Following a military coup (government takeover) in Portugal, the new
government supports independence for Portuguese colonies; many
Portuguese settlers leave Mozambique; FRELIMO and the Portuguese
government sign a peace agreement
1975
Mozambique gains independence from Portugal
1976
Civil war breaks out between FRELIMO and the Mozambican National
Resistance (RENAMO); the capital city is renamed Maputo
1992
A cease-fire agreement ends the 16-year civil war
1994
Free elections are held
1995
Civil war refugees (people forced to leave their homes by war) return to
Mozambique
2000
2001
Massive flooding in the Zambezi Valley forces 70,000 people to
evacuate
2005
Construction begins on a bridge across the Ruvuma River that will
connect Mozambique and Tanzania
2007
Flooding in the Zambezi Valley forces the evacuation of thousands of
Mozambicans, leaves many homeless, and causes extensive damage
to crops
2008
Tens of thousands of people have to leave their homes because of
flooding
2013
RENAMO attacks a police station, pulling out of the 1992 peace accord
with FRELIMO after the government capture of a base where
RENAMO's leader was staying
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PRESENT
Kingdom of the Monomutapa
The Monomutapa Empire was the greatest empire of the Bantu people who migrated to the area that is now
Mozambique in the 4th century. The Monomutapa Empire reached its height in the 16th century when it stretched into
parts of Zimbabwe. An emperor called the Mwene Mutapa ruled the Monomutapa people. They exchanged goods such
as gold and ivory with Arab traders. Slaves were also traded in large quantities and sent from Africa to Arabia and
other eastern lands. In return, the Arabs brought rice, spices, and silks to the Monomutapa. They also introduced the
Islamic religion into the culture. Some Arabs and Africans intermarried and people with mixed heritage became known
as Swahili.
Country of the Good People
Vasco de Gama was the first European explorer to reach Mozambique. He and his
crew arrived in 1498 in search of gold and spices. They landed at Delagoa Bay on the
Mozambique’s southern coast and also visited Ilha de Moçambique, a small Arab-run
island off the coast. The local people welcomed them, and de Gama’s men named the
land Terra da Boa Gente—Country of the Good People. De Gama sailed for India, but
his fellow Portuguese adventurers soon followed him to Mozambique to take part in the
rich ivory trade and to search for the legendary gold mines of the Monomotapa.
Christian missionaries followed the explorers and taught the local peoples, setting up
schools and settlements all over the land. One of the most famous missionaries was a
Scottish man by the name of David Livingstone. In 1864, Livingstone traveled up the
Zambezi River and attempted to establish a mission on the banks of Lake Malawi.
A Colony of Portugal
Despite other European nations wanting to control Mozambique, Portugal managed to maintain its hold on the land.
The Portuguese king claimed it as a colony of Portugal and granted plots of land to prazeiros, or “landlords.” The
prazeiros bought large numbers of slaves to work their large plantations. Mozambique saw constant battles over the
next few centuries as the Portuguese colonists fought rebellious tribes and European nations such as Germany and
Great Britain to keep their position of power. In an attempt to fend off the different tribes, Portugal also encouraged
them to fight with each other for control of the land that was once theirs. The Makonde Rebellion in 1917 was the last
organized protest against Portuguese rule led by the northwest Makonde tribe—the fiercest warriors in Mozambique.
The rebellion was stopped, and the Portuguese were finally able to set up trading posts in the north.
Independence
The 20th century brought many new settlers to Mozambique. During World War I, many
Africans were recruited to fight for Portugal, often against their will. Many Mozambicans
resented this policy, and it deepened the divide between Mozambique’s white settlers
and its African residents. In 1951, Portugal changed Mozambique’s status from a
colony to an overseas province (similar to a state), and Mozambicans began hoping for
independence.
In 1962, an educated Mozambican named Eduardo Mondlane founded the Front for the
Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) in Tanzania. FRELIMO set up armed training
camps, supported by local villagers who wanted to be free from Portuguese rule. Many
of FRELIMO’s fighters came from the Makonde people and other northern tribes. By the
early 1970s, and after several battles with Portuguese troops, FRELIMO had around
10,000 members and covered a huge portion of the country. At home in Portugal,
people were growing angry at the large cost in money and lives that the wars in
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Mozambique were costing them. In April of 1974, a group of dissatisfied Portuguese
soldiers staged a peaceful revolution, throwing out the government in power. The new
Portuguese government and FRELIMO signed a peace agreement, which led to
Mozambique becoming independent the following year.
Civil War
As soon as FRELIMO took power in Mozambique, large groups of white farmers began
leaving the country for Portugal or nearby South Africa. The new president, Samora
Machel, made FRELIMO the only legal party in the country. He took over all the land
and made it government property so that no one could own their own land. A group
known as the Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO) grew up in opposition to
FRELIMO and President Machel. RENAMO and FRELIMO forces fought continuously
for 16 years. RENAMO fighters destroyed anything connected with FRELIMO including
schools, buildings, stores, and hospitals. Millions of people became deslocados (people
forced out of their homes by the fighting). More than 1.5 million people fled the country.
FRELIMO and RENAMO finally signed a cease-fire agreement in 1992, and the first
free elections were held two years later.
Coming Home
By 1995, more than 1.5 million people who fled their homeland during the civil war returned to Mozambique. Those
who had been forced out of their homes returned to rebuild their lives. Years of war left hundreds of thousands of land
mines hidden all over the country, and the United Nations started training programs to help people safely identify,
remove, and destroy these hazards. Foreign governments sent aid to help Mozambique’s government rebuild schools,
hospitals, railways, and ports that were destroyed during the years of war. The nation is also doing all it can to
encourage the tourism industry. Now that Mozambique is a relatively peaceful nation, its many beautiful beaches and
national parks are attracting foreigners from all over the world.
Games and Sports
Soccer is by far the most popular sport in Mozambique. Rural (countryside) kids don’t
often have actual soccer balls, so they make ones out of plastic bags or rags. Beach
volleyball and basketball are also popular. Traditional dancing is an important part of
Mozambique’s culture, and regions hold dance competitions that attract many
competitors and spectators. Mozambique also has some of the best runners in the
world. Maria Mutola grew up playing soccer with the boys in her town. When she turned
18, she wasn’t allowed to compete anymore because she was a girl. Instead, she
turned to running competitively. At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Mutola won
Mozambique’s first Olympic gold medal for winning the 800-meter track and field race.
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Holidays
In Mozambique, Christmas Day (25 Dec.) is also called Family Day. The Christmas tradition was heavily influenced by
the Portuguese, and people hold traditional Portuguese dances in which children dress up in costumes. They sing,
dance, and make decorations to hang on their Christmas trees. The most common ornament is a dove, which can be
seen on Christmas trees all over the country. People who can afford it give donations of rice, oil, and beans to the poor.
Secular (non-religious) holidays are also very popular in Mozambique. On holidays such as Independence Day (25
June), Heroes’ Day (3 Feb.), and Women’s Day (7 April), Mozambican families get together and make a tasty holiday
dish called bolo polana (potato and cashew nut cake).
Food
Mozambican food represents the three major cultures still present in the country: African, Arab, and Portuguese. The
cassava (tapioca) root is the most important crop in the country and is featured in many common dishes. In fact, the
African name for cassava means “all-sufficient” because it can be used in so many ways. It can be baked or mashed
like a potato, ground up like flour, or dried like fruit. Along the coast people enjoy seafood. Macaza is a
Portuguese-style dish made from shellfish grilled on bamboo twigs over an open fire. Another popular seafood meal is
chocos, or squid cooked in its own ink. Mozambique is also known for its piripiri, dishes made with a hot red pepper
sauce. The sauce is made with lemon juice, freshly picked red chili peppers, and salt, boiled and pounded to a pulp.
Mozambicans eat this hot sauce on meat, chicken, and fish. Almoço (lunch) is the main meal of the day and people
often take a siesta (rest) for several hours after lunch before going back to work or school. For almoço, kids often eat
rice topped with a spicy stew and pineapples sprinkled with sugar and cashew nuts. They like to drink sodas and fruit
juices. Street stalls sell sandes de queijo (toasted cheese sandwiches) and chips (fries) which are also popular.
Schools
Adult Literacy: 56.1%
Years of civil war disrupted education in Mozambique and the nation’s schools are still
trying to recover. Primary (elementary) education is free and around two-thirds of
eligible children actually attend. In the countryside only a minority of children go to
school. Girls, especially, attend less frequently because they are expected to stay at
home and take care of chores there. Classes are also taught in Portuguese, and very
few rural (countryside) children understand the language, which makes learning very
difficult.
Currently the government is having a hard time building schools and hiring teachers
quickly enough to keep up with enrollment. Many of Mozambique's schools are built by
the parents, using local materials such as trees and grass. Classrooms offer little
protection from storms and rain. Classes are sometimes interrupted during the rainy
season because the buildings are unsafe and may collapse during strong winds, which
are common in costal areas. Schools in rural areas often lack a safe water source.
Many students have to study under trees because of inadequate classroom space.
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Life as a Kid
Kids in Mozambique usually grow up in large families, often including extended family.
Since so many Mozambicans are poor, family members rely on each other to share
what they have and to help in time of need. Many are able to grow just enough food to
survive.
Mozambican children are taught to respect their elders and may be disciplined by any
adult family member, not just their parents. The father is head of the family and works
to provide financial support. If the father dies, the oldest son is then responsible for the
family. Girls help their mothers with chores beginning at an early age. They are often
promised in marriage by age 12 and may be married soon after that. Boys look after
cattle, help raise crops, and attend school. Many young boys go to find work in South
Africa once they turn 15. Usually, children get up at 5:00 in the morning everyday to
work, while the day is still cool.
Government
Capital: Maputo
Head of State: Pres. Armando Guebuza
Head of Government: PM Alberto Vaquina
The Mozambican president is elected by the people to lead the country. The president also appoints a prime minister to
head the Council of Ministers, which advises the president and carries out government business. The Assembleia da
Republica (Assembly of the Republic) has 250 members who are elected by the people to serve five-year terms and
represent the 10 different provinces (similar to states) across the country as well as the capital city of Maputo.
FRELIMO and RENAMO are the two major political parties in Mozambique, but the 1990 constitution allows many
parties to take part in the government. Political parties are not allowed to legally identify with any particular ethnic or
religious group. The voting age is 18.
Money and Economy
Currency: Metical
More than two-thirds of Mozambicans live in poverty. The majority of workers are in the
agricultural industry. But frequent droughts and water shortages make it hard to
produce good crops. Everything that is grown is used to feed the country’s population,
and there is very little left over to sell to other countries. The best farming areas are
around the river banks and along the coastal plains where water is usually available.
The most commonly grown crops include cassava (tapioca), tea, peanuts, cashews,
sugarcane, corn, and coconuts. The country was very deep in debt after the civil war,
but over time the debt has been reduced to a manageable level.
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Getting Around
Mozambicans often use public transportation such as buses or chapas (minibuses) to get around, or they travel on
foot. Some people have cars, but many Mozambicans can’t afford to own a car. Also, many of the roads aren’t paved.
So in the dry season, the dirt roads are bumpy and rough, and in the wet season, they’re muddy. Bicycles are a
popular way for people to get around in rural (countryside) areas. Mozambique has a well-developed railway system
that connects it with other African nations such as Swaziland, South Africa, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. However, this
system is mainly used to move goods between countries. People don’t usually travel on trains. Mozambique has three
main airports in Maputo, Beira, and Nampula.
Wildlife in Mozambique
Mozambique once supported a huge variety of wild animals—lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, zebras, giraffes,
cheetahs, hyenas, and antelope. But between the 1970s and the early 1990s, Mozambique’s wildlife was nearly
destroyed during the country’s 16-year civil war. Some Mozambicans became so desperate that they resorted to
poaching (illegally killing) the country’s wildlife in order to survive. However, efforts are now being made to restore what
was lost and to protect animal habitat. The government is working with international wildlife conservation groups and
strengthening protection of wild animals. The government is also encouraging ecotourism (tourism that fosters an
appreciation of nature). It’s going to take a long time for Mozambique’s wildlife to recover, but progress is being made.
Learn More
Contact the Embassy of Mozambique, 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036; phone (202)
293-7146; web site www.embamoc-usa.org.
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