Published Story
Carrying on with the traditions
In the old days, I've seen ladies painting themselves. They have their own traditional make-up, the mussiro, I do not know how to say in other languages, we have the shells too. We also have popular dance for girls. T...
Amina Chazama João
Works in an NGO, 24 years old
Excerpted · August 2017
About her occupation.
Amina Chazama João: I am in a generation and life program where I advise girls, those who do not study. We have trainers who help with the project and when we have difficulties they help us.
What is your connection with the Island of Mozambique?
A. C. J.: The island for me is a wonderful city. It has very beautiful history and for that reason I’m proud of it. Although it is not from here, I like this city. I'm from Nampula and then I came to live here.
You know what is UNESCO and its role regarding the Island of Mozambique? The UNESCO World Heritage Site classification…?
A. C. J.: No. I heard you have a special status but I do not know.
Do you think the Island of Mozambique has changed over time?
A. C. J.: Yes, it has changed. Now things are improving and we are enjoying for it.
What is improving on the Island of Mozambique?
A. C. J.: They are improving the roads that used to had rocks and mud. Now we already have markets, and gardens and a lot that is going on and we compliment and we like it. The island is recovering.
What do you think about the coming of foreigners to the Island? Did the WHS classification helped boost tourism or the coming of foreign investigators and investors..?
A. C. J.: Yes, I’m seeing more foreigners now. I’m seeing university projects. Every time they come to the Island they do some training sessions.
Do you feel connected to some monument in the Island of Mozambique?
A. C. J.: The museum of the Island.
What is your opinion about the museum?
A. C. J.: It tells the story of Mozambique and of Vasco da Gama as well. It tells the history of the Island of Mozambique.
Overall, do people care about the conservation of the Island as an historical place?
A. C. J.: Yes, a lot.
What do you consider to be your own personal heritage?
A. C. J.: The painting, the stencil/ imprint represents us.
Do you identify to any part of the history of the Island of Mozambique? If so, which one?
A. C. J.: I like everything.
Is there any story or anything you would like to share?
A. C. J.: In the old days, I've seen ladies painting themselves. They have their own traditional make-up, the mussiro, I do not know how to say in other languages, we have the shells too. We also have popular dance for girls. They are traditional things part from the colonial time. We have old traditions and we imitate what people used to do in the previous years. Here there are many women who like to paint themselves and who walk in plana and scarf, with bineira, sell paint... we also do that.
What is Bineira?
A. C. J.: We have our own arts. People with bineira have their own liquid, have the very paint they put inside and sell. This [the bineira] is made of straw. Some zones do this. There are people who do and others sell it and others who do draw. All Island dances the Tufo.