Mozambique

A long Indian Ocean coast gives Mozambique a blend of Bantu, Swahili and Portuguese heritage, famed for Chopi xylophone orchestras.

Music & dance Crafts Building & habitat Textile & dress Food & cooking

Knowledge in this place

Chopi timbila

Chopi timbila

Orchestras of wooden xylophones accompany elaborate sung-dance suites.

Mapiko masks

Mapiko masks

Makonde helmet masks worn in initiation dances on the northern plateau.

Island of Mozambique

Island of Mozambique

A coral-stone trading town mixing Swahili, Arab and Portuguese architecture.

Building & habitat

Capulana cloth

Capulana cloth

Printed wrap cloth used for clothing, baby-carrying and ceremonial gifts.

Textile & dress

Matapa

Cassava leaves stewed with peanut, coconut and prawns over rice.