C91BV Team will be active from Mozambique, 17 - 24 October 2024.
Team - CX3DDB, CX3AN, CX8FB, CX2AM.
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Mozambique
Mozambique is a unique corner of the globe, combining paradise islands, beautiful beaches and green tropical groves. It is a state where most of the population still lives under ancient laws. The original culture with the imprints of the “Portuguese” past amazes tourists and excites the imagination. It combines ancient laws and modernity, developed resorts and small settlements where people live below the poverty line. Let's get acquainted with this independent state in more detail.
Mozambique. Author - Teseo.
From ancient times to colony: how did the state develop?
Mozambique is rightly considered one of the oldest states in the world. The first people began to settle on its territory millions of years ago. This is evidenced by archaeological findings. With the development of evolution, the ancient tribes of Neanderthals were replaced by nomadic peoples. They were in constant movement and quickly changed each other. There are no memories of many of the tribes.
About two thousand years ago, the Bantu tribes came to what is now Mozambique. They settled firmly in the resource-rich territories. It is the Bantu are considered the founders of the development of civilization in Mozambique.
In 1498, the peaceful rhythm of life of local tribes was broken by the Portuguese, who landed on African lands headed by Vasco da Gama. The future colonizers were struck by the abundance of resources in the local territories. In the bowels of the earth were found reserves of gold, beads, valuable metals. Naturally, it was not in their interest to leave the paradise lands, and in 1508 a fort was built on the South African coast, named Musa Mbiki - in honor of the local chief. Over time, the name of the fort was greatly modified and became Mozambique.
In 1965, the war of liberation began in Mozambique, which lasted until 1975. As a result of the armed conflict, the state managed to gain freedom. This happened on June 25, 1975.
Mozambique. Author - Jasper Dymoke.
Local life: everything from language to everyday life
As Mozambique was a Portuguese colony for a long time, this has had a certain impact on the culture of the country. Portuguese is considered to be the official language of the state. However, it is spoken by only one fourth of the population of the country. These are people who received school education.
Portuguese is spoken in the government, in business, in educational institutions. This causes great inconvenience, as the rest of the population is divided into groups, each of which uses its own language. In total, about 60 languages are used on the territory of Mozambique.
Residents of tourist regions and large cities have a good command of English, which makes it very easy to communicate with travelers, of which there are quite a lot in the country. However, if you decide to go on a self-guided tour of local villages and other neighborhoods, be sure to take a guide and an interpreter with you.
As for religions, most of the population adheres to local cults. Depending on belonging to one or another nation, people profess animalism, nature cult, ancestors, etc. There are Christians and Muslims in the country, but they are a minority. Churches and services are open for them.
Today Mozambique is among the poorest countries in the world. It is connected with endless wars and conflicts, and also with weak policy. Frequent droughts, floods, debts to other countries have badly undermined the economy of Mozambique. Approximately 40% of the population has never attended school.
About safety: what a free tourist should know
The tourism industry is gaining popularity in Mozambique. In developed regions, guests of the country are treated with great friendliness. However, this applies only to the official resort areas. Outside them, a different reality opens before travelers, which can unpleasantly surprise and amaze.
Due to the climatic conditions and low level of medicine in the country, there is a very high risk of contracting hepatitis, dysentery, malaria and other infectious diseases. To avoid trouble, before traveling to the country, it is recommended to get the appropriate vaccinations. This is an optional requirement, but you should not refuse vaccination. Also, you should not drink tap water, even if it has gone through boiling. It is best to buy water from supermarkets or hotels.
If you are traveling through the country unaccompanied, remember that Mozambique still retains minefields. Many of them are marked with special placards, but mines can be located anywhere. It is very dangerous to wander around the neighborhoods where wars have been raging for 15 years. It is better to use the services of a guide and move only on the proven routes.
The local population earns their living by fishing. However, it is forbidden for tourists to fish in local reservoirs without a special license. You can get a license at the Maritime Department, which is available in every province. After that, you can take a guide and go fishing.
Poverty and low level of education are the main reasons for the high crime rate in the country. In the larger cities, fraud and petty theft are common. Things are much worse on the outskirts of the cities. Tourists are advised not to stay on the streets of cities after dark, and public transportation is best preferred to cabs.
Mozambique. Author - Petra Ballings.
Interesting facts about Mozambique
Despite some unpleasant facts, Mozambique is strikingly distinctive and unusual. This is a unique state with its own mentality and traditions. Going to visit this corner of the globe, it is worth familiarizing yourself with some interesting facts. So:
- Mozambican families are very large. The number of children in families can exceed 5-7. The average age of brides is 17-18 years old, and in villages is much lower.
- Mozambique has a very bad AIDS situation. Every 10th inhabitant has immunodeficiency virus.
- Difficult living conditions and low level of medicine put an imprint on the life expectancy of the local population. People over 60 years old are rarely found here. The average life expectancy does not exceed 50 years.
- Local small stores and souvenir stores are very reluctant to give change. This is important to keep in mind if you want to pay with a large banknote. You will have to fight for your money. That is why buy food in supermarkets or try to pay with maximum accuracy.
- This is the only state whose flag depicts a modern firearm - the AK-47 assault rifle. For the local population it has become a symbol of liberation from the Portuguese.
- On the territory of the state there are special bomb squads, where trained rats work. The rodents' keen sense of smell and intelligence allow them to detect and neutralize hundreds of mines that pose a direct threat to people.
What to bring from Mozambique as a souvenir?
In addition to wonderful impressions and bright pictures from Mozambique you can bring a lot of souvenirs for yourself and your loved ones. You can make purchases both in specialized souvenir stores and small stores owned by locals. However, in this case you need to stock up on local money, which is called metical. Also in some places they accept dollars, but with payment by bank cards there are big problems. So, what to bring from Mozambique?
Maconde sculptures. These are various statuettes, which are mostly made of wood. They can depict people and animals. Such sculptures are equated to traditional African crafts.
Masks. They are made using mahogany, clay, straw, stones and other natural materials. These masks are sold in many souvenir shops and vary in both size and cost.
Smoking pipes, mats, mats and baskets. All of them are made by local craftsmen and have no analogues. They are decorated with peculiar painted and carved patterns.
Corals and shells. Unlike most other states, in Mozambique you can safely collect shells, corals and stones left on the shore after low tide.
Mozambique is a state with a rather interesting and heavy history. It is a unique corner of the world, where magnificent landscapes and riches hidden in the bowels of the earth merge with incredible poverty of the population.
