Mozambique
Mozambique, with miles of fine white sand undiscovered. Its archipelagos contain stories and legends that are still respected from generation to generation. But its charm comes not only from its exotic places or landscapes or environment of their cities, but a contrast in the land and the people who are born and live with passion and intensity. Mozambique is situated on the Southeast Coast of Africa.
Culture
Traditional ways of life are preserved in Mozambique - varying from province to province. This cultural kaleidoscope provides visitors with a series of experiences and precious memories.
Makonde people of Cabo Delgado in the north-east, are known for their fearlessness and initiation rites. For male initiation, participants dance with masks "MAPICO." The body is tattooed and the teeth are sharped only for aesthetic purposes. The Makonde are also talented artisans producing fine wood - primarily mahogany, ebony and ironwood - and ivory sculpture which usually depict the stories of previous generations.
Music is very important for the people of Niassa living in the sparsely populated northwest. They use wind instruments made of dry and hollow gourds, producing a sound like a trumpet. A band musicians play instruments of different sizes. Macuas women, in Nampula Province, paint their faces with "muciro," a stratum of white root. They also make straw baskets, mats and other items as well as ebony and clay sculptures. The traditional and spicy food of Zambezia is highly appreciated.
The Zambezian grilled chicken with coconut milk, is a delicacy. The agility of Nhau dancers from Tete province is much admired. At the sound of thumping beats, they dance holding huge and scary wooden masks. For Chopes of Inhambane province "Timbila" is the name of a percussion instrument and dance. The instrument is similar to a xylophone. During the dance, up to 23 different sizes of instruments are played. The Chope also use "mbira" made of strips of metal attached to a hollow box and played with the fingers.
History
Mozambique was a Portuguese province abroad and then a Member State of Portugal. Which became independent from Portugal in 1975.
Mozambique is a great country that makes a big impression on visitors, not only because of its privileged geographical location but also due to the charm and hospitality of its people.
Mozambique has regained its position at the forefront of the international tourism scene and is now, once again, one of the most attractive and intriguing tourist destinations in southern Africa. The 2,500 km of white, palm-fringed beaches – and the islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago in particular – have long been the major draw for tourists. The extensive coral reefs host a dazzling array of unique marine life and offer unbelievable diving and fishing opportunities. With so much diversity on offer, knowing where to start your journey of discovery and what paths to follow requires a degree of thought.
Mozambique has great tourism and ecotourism potential due to its natural diversity. The country has a variety of ecological systems rich in endemic species. The conservation areas are constituted by the parks, national reserves and official hunting reserves which are demarcated areas of public jurisdiction representative of the natural heritage set aside for the preservation of biodiversity and fragile ecosystems or certain species of fauna and flora.
Information courtesy of Mozambican Tourism.
