Last week we had our first experience with Mozambique, one of the countries bordering Swaziland whose 1,535 miles of coastline contribute to its vibrant culture. We went with two other families from Swaziland and we had an excellent time.
A (very) brief history of Mozambique:
The Portugese began to occupy Mozambique in the early 16th century and, despite strong resistance from natives, continually gained power until Mozambique ultimately became an overseas province of Portugal in 1951. The FRELIMO party, a group of Mozambican natives angered by Portugese presence, was formed in 1962 with Eduardo C. Mondlane as its first president. They lead Mozambique in revolution from 1964 to June 25, 1975 when they gained their independence. In 1976 the RENAMO party was formed and carried out guerrilla warfare against the FRELIMO throughout the 80s, including blowing up bridges and tampering with rail lines; they were also accused of a 386 person massacre near the village of Inhambane. Despite the fighting between the two parties (which lead to the flight of hundreds of thousands of Mozambicans to surrounding countries), by 1992 a treaty was signed to end the war. The first, multiple party election in Mozambique was held in 1994 where a FRELIMO president was elected, and the FRELIMO party has continued to hold power through to the present.
These days, Mozambique is home to a large fishing industry which counts for about 1/3 of the country's exports. (Needless to say, we filled up on fish during our trip.) However, the country's largest industry by far is agriculture in which about 80% of the Mozambican population is employed. Some of the most common crops are corn, cassava, coconuts, peanuts, cotton, sugar, and cashews. Despite this, Mozambique still faces a problem with food shortages, and many inhabitants struggle to provide enough food for themselves and their families.
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| Because Mozambique was a Portugese colony, Portugese is now the official language. |
We spent the first night of our trip in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, with the Peace Corps Director there. Maputo is a huge costal city, much of which was designed by the Portugese architect, Amancio d'Alpoim Guedes, who also designed a large part of Waterford's campus. While we were there, we toured the city and visited a few markets. Something that caught my attention in Maputo: it's possible to buy nearly anything along the road (if you need a new front door, I know a place).
The rest of the week we spent at the beach in a lodge near Inhambane. Mozambican beaches are known for their beauty, and this one definitely didn't disappoint. Between the palm tree lined horizon and the early morning sunrises over the Indian Ocean, we had some great views at our disposal. We also had opportunities for some excellent snorkeling where we got to see tons of fish and coral, and even a star fish about as long as my arm.
Mozambique has definitely been one of my favorite places to visit so far, and I'm awaiting a return visit with high anticipation.
To learn more about Mozambique, visit these web sites:
