Paper short abstract:

This paper explores the different narratives of the liberation struggle (1964-1974) in northern Mozambique, and the ways in which these become locally relevant at times of political and social tension framing different claims to political legitimacy.

Paper long abstract:

The Mozambican liberation struggle (1964-1974) fought mostly in the province of Cabo Delgado, in Northern Mozambique, left strong memories and became a part of the imagination around the creation of the nation. Part of the population of Cabo Delgado joined Frelimo and fought the Portuguese, while others stayed in Portuguese controlled areas, or escaped to Tanzania. The different experiences of the war are alluded to at present and suggest explanations for past and present group dynamics. The diverse experiences of/responses to colonialism are linked with legitimacy and belonging to the nation and with territorial claims. Nearly 50 years after the beginning of the struggle, and with large numbers of the population being too young to remember it, recreating and narrating the struggle has become an important part of remembering, re-telling and passing on of national and local history to the younger generation. The representation of the past has often excluded/silenced alternative perspectives and experiences of those who did not take part in the struggle. Recounting this history is loaded with claims to legitimacy, and weaves in memories and competing experiences of the past.

Based on fieldwork conducted in Northern Mozambique, drawing on participant observation and extensive interviews with Makonde veterans (male and female) of the liberation struggle, and with Mwani who lived in Portuguese controlled towns, I will discuss the importance of memory and story-telling and the different narratives that people create. I will also address tensions surrounding questions of belonging linked with claiming or refusing ownership of local histories.