Culture and Customs of Mozambique

The decades-long civil war ended in 1992 in Mozambique, a southeastern African nation once ruled by the Portuguese The country now attracts foreign investment and has one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa. Culture and Customs of Mozambique is a timely overview of an important nation as it rebuilds. The thorough narrative is the most-up-date and authoritative source on Mozambique's society.

Ndege covers the land and history and especially clarifies the multiethnic society, which comprises sixteen ethnic groups, most of which are of Bantu origin. Each group speaks its own language, and some clans within each group speak different dialects of the same language. He discusses the migration of these groups into Mozambique from southern Africa and their absorption of disparate and small communities, as well as their diverse cultural customs and practices. Most important, the Zambezi valley, which has for centuries been a meeting place of many different societies, is significant in understanding the nature and pattern of settlement of various ethnic communities in modern-day Mozambique. Readers will learn about the young population and the migration to cities today. The importance of the family and the changes to the family and gender roles brought on by education, urbanization, migration, and religion are discussed. Other coverage includes the role of Islam and Christianity; the importance of art; indigenous, oral, and modern literature and media; a wide range of celebrations and leisure activities; ceremonies and cuisine; unique music and dance; and more.

Author: George O. Ndege
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: 11/30/2006
Pages: 168
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.86lbs
Size: 9.28h x 6.26w x 0.68d
ISBN: 9780313331633

Review Citation(s):
Reference and Research Bk News 02/01/2007 pg. 93
American Reference Bks Annual 01/01/2007 pg. 44

About the Author

GEORGE O. NEDGE is Associate Professor of History at St. Louis University.