CULTURE
Many
of the cultural traditions of the Mozambican people survived centuries
of colonialism. The Makonde in the north are renowned for their
ebony sculptures and masks. The Chopi of the south central coast
are famous for their complex musical arrangements and dance. Mozambique’s
tradition of visual art has produced several modern artists who
have achieved international renown. One of the most famous Mozambican
artists is Malangatana, whose paintings portray the sufferings
of the colonial period and the civil war.
Mozambique
enjoys a great range of cultural and linguistic diversity. Islamic
culture, Swahili language, and matrilineal Bantu-speaking groups
coexist in northern and central regions, reflecting prevailing
patterns in neighbouring Tanzania and Malawi. The great variety
of people of the Zambezi valley overlap culturally and linguistically
with neighbouring Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, and patrilineal,
cattle-keeping people who share a heritage with neighbouring Nguni-speaking
groups in South Africa and Zimbabwe are common in the south. Amid
the variety of languages, social relationships, artistic traditions,
clothing, and ornamentation patterns is a common theme of dynamic
and creative cultural expression in song, oral poetry, dance,
and performance.
Although
material and performance arts are deeply embedded in daily religious
and social expressions, some regional traditions are well known
throughout the nation and beyond. The haunting paintings of Malangatana
Valente Ngwenya, commonly known as Malangatana, have captured
an international audience. Malangatana and the muralist Mankew
Valente Muhumana have inspired the formation of artist cooperatives,
particularly around Maputo. The carved wooden sculpture and masks
of the Makonde people of northern Mozambique and Tanzania and
the complex Chopi orchestral performances, or midogo, are among
the best-known artistic traditions. Popular music includes the
work of Alexandre Langa, Xidimingwana, and the Nampula group Eyuphuro.
Soccer is the nation's favourite sporting activity. Mozambique's
soccer team competes with other African nations and within the
Portuguese-speaking Sporting League, which also includes Angola,
Portugal, and Brazil.
