MOZAMBIQUE - PAVILION
As part of the Festival of Cultures of the Biennale of Luanda 2021, discover the cultural content proposed by Mozambique!
Enjoy your visit!
The Republic of Mozambique, located in the southeastern shore of the African Continent and with a population of around 30 million people. Home of Island of Mozambique, a UNESCO Wolrd Heritage site since 1991, the country is home of a rich culture. The Mozambican pavilion in the Biennale of Luanda 2021, will present visitors with milestones of the national history, two of its most known writers, music, art, unique architecture, and the breath-taking nature of the country.
Quirimbas, Mozambique
Located in Cabo Delgado province, in the north of the country, the site consists of 11 islands, a combination of marine parks and a freshwater system including the Montepuez river and Lake Bilibiza, a bird sanctuary. The islands support 3,000 floral species, of which 1,000 are endemic, and a rich fauna that includes 23 species of reptiles, 447 species of birds and 46 species of terrestrial mammals including four of the 鈥渂ig five鈥 (elephant, lion, buffalo and leopard), as well as eight species of marine mammals including whales and dolphins. The main economic activities are fishing, animal husbandry, tourism, arts and crafts and sea transport.
The Chopi Timbila
The Chopi communities live mainly in the southern part of Inhambane province in southern Mozambique and are famous for their orchestra music. Their orchestras consist of five to thirty wooden xylophones, called timbila, of varying sizes and ranges of pitch. Closely connected with the music are particular timbila dances that are performed by two to twelve dancers in front of the orchestra. Each timbila performance includes the solemn m鈥檢eno song, performed by dancers, while musicians play softly and slowly. These texts, full of humour and sarcasm, reflect contemporary social issues and serve to chronicle community events.
The fortified city of Mozambique is located on this island, a former Portuguese trading-post on the route to India. Its remarkable architectural unity is due to the consistent use, since the 16th century, of the same building techniques, building materials (stone or macuti) and decorative principles. The island has been a UNESCO Wolrd Heritage site since 1991.
General Peace Accords (1992)
An estimated 1 million Mozambicans died during the 16-year civil war that finally ended in October 1992 with the General Peace Agreement signed in Rome. The articles on Accord Magazine, published by Conciliation Resources, look at the diverse initiatives that brough the parties to a negotiated settlement of the conflict, and illustrates the impact of changing regional and international dynamics in Mozambique.
Nampula
Bazaruto Archipelago
Central Railway Station 鈥淓sta莽茫o Central dos Caminhos de Ferro鈥
Praia do Wimbe/Ba铆a de Pembe
Faces Of Africa - Samora Machel: The Struggle Continues
Born in 1933 in Chilembene, Samora Machel was one of the key figures in the Mozambican war of independence (1964 鈥 1975). A member of the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO), Machel served as the first president of Mozambique. He died in a plane crash, whilst still in office in 1986. The documentary from CGTN Africa presents the life story of Samora Machel.
Mozambique's Paulina Chiziane wins Cam玫es 2021 award
Paulina Chiziane is a Mozambican writer and the author of books such as 鈥淰entos do Apocalipse鈥, 鈥淭he first wife: A tale of Polygamy鈥 and 鈥淏alada de Amor ao Vento鈥 among other. She was awarded the 2021 for literature, awarded to writers from Portuguese-speaking countries. On the video she talks about what the award meant to her and about her work as writer.
Painter and poet, Malangatana Ngwenya, born in Mozambique, is a pioneer of modern African art, and developed his unique painting style early in his career, an aesthetic defined by a dense assembly of figures; phantasmagoric depictions of animals, humans, and supernatural creatures; and a palette of both bright and dark colors. His work embodies the new artistic vocabularies that arose in Mozambique in tandem with the struggle for a liberated nation, much as they did in other parts of the African continent.
Mia Couto 鈥 How stories are born
Mia Couto is one of the most known Mozambican writers worldwide. His books were translated and published in several countries. He won the 2013 for literature, awarded to writers from Portuguese-speaking countries. On the video he talks about how his stories are born.
Disclaimer
The ideas and opinions expressed on this page are those of the Member State; they do not necessarily represent the views of UNESCO and the Organization hereby declines all liability. The designation employed and the presentation of material throughout the National Pavilion or this webpage do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Organization, concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area of its authorities, or concerning its frontiers or boundaries.
