In 1752, Portugal announced that Mozambique was their colony. This was the beginning of slave trade between Brazil, also controlled by Portugal, and Mozambique. Angola was the main source of slaves before Mozambique was discovered and colonized by Portugal. People living in Africa worked on farms from a young age, and had to constantly watch out for Europeans who wanted to capture them. They lived in fear every day, knowing that their lives could change at any moment.
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My brotherMy brother, Chidike, was only 9 when we were taken from our home in Mozambique. He was young and did not survive the journey to the Americas. He fell ill on the ship and was tossed overboard. I wish he could be here with me.
My motherMy father left home when I was too young to remember, so I was raised by my mother, Ife. Her name means "woman of love." She was able to protect me when I was young, but that all changed two days after my 16th birthday.
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Above: Europeans Arrival in Africa, 1600s. A European artist illustrated the first interactions between European explorers and African Kings. The African tribes prepared to treat the Europeans as guests, but were instead faced with an enemy.
Right: Mappa da Costa De Province De Mozambique, 1745. The map shows Mozambique in South-East Africa. It is written in Portuguese. |
Clothing and jewelryAfrican jewelry, clothing, and everyday items were mainly made out of raw materials. Africans made their clothes out of beads, shells, and buttons. Some different garments they produced were beaded aprons, capes, shoes, and headbands. In addition, they used the materials accessible in Africa to manufacture useful items for agriculture such as tools or baskets.
Iron ballast, 1700s. Beaded baskets were used for agriculture. They could also be used to store food and for other household purposes.
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Culture African culture also spread through globalization. Dance and art originating in Africa found itself in the Americas by means of the transatlantic slave trade. Some of these art forms originated in Africa, while others were created in the Americas by former slaves based on their native culture. In addition, many Africans did not practice a specific religion. Mozambique had a secular, non religious, state. However, they did believe in “Curandeiros” who were spiritual healers and were consulted in times of trouble and hardship. Those who did practice a religion were mainly Roman Catholics, Protestants, or Muslims.
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