Mother and Son conversations

It was one of the first houses I've entered on Island of Mozambique. The colours striked me. A beautiful contrast between the pastel-tone walls and a red floor. I first met the mom, Maria Camussi Cassimo. She was very shy. As soon as her son, Numati, got inside the room and started to answer she agreed with everything that was said and laughed. It set a positive mood on our interaction.

Maria & Numati Camussi Cassimo

Unemployed, 55 years old & unemployed, 28 years old
Excerpted · August 2017

Interviewer: What is your connection with the Island of Mozambique?
Numati: It is a world heritage site that has a lot of ancient history and it tunes the Island. Our beaches, and fortress, are places of prodigy, symbolizing the island of Mozambique.

Maria: Is where it is world heritage and tourism. People come here to take a sightseeing tour.

Do you know what is UNESCO and its role regarding the Island of Mozambique? The World Heritage Site (WHS) nomination…?
N. C. C.: We have little knowledge about it. We have heard about this, but I do not know what area UNESCO acts in.

Do you think the Island of Mozambique has changed over time, especially after the WHS nomination:
N. C. C.: Formerly the island was somewhat ... After being classified, came more tourism and everything gained more life. Day after day is evolving and people like to come to stroll to the Island.

What do you think about the coming of foreigners to the Island? Does the WHS nomination help boost tourism or the coming of foreign investigators and investors..?
N. C. C.: It is a pride that we have if a European came to question our Island, what the name, how are things here… It’s an advantage that they come to our island, is a pride. One day we may also have the opportunity to go outside asking about the history of Portugal, for example. It is a pride that the government is allowing people to come and accept Europeans to come and create an idea of us as we are and how we can live on the other side, and access other places. We also create an idea. We may have a very broad idea but with the succession of people we can have a better idea.

Do you feel connected to some monument on the Island of Mozambique?
N. C. C.: They want to know about our island. It's the old people that passed here who are the ones with the best stories and history. They clarify well about our Mozambique’s history. Our point of view is a little cultured. The others have a wider view.

Overall, do people care about the conservation of the Island as a historical place?
N. C. C.: Of course. The government itself has financed and created a nucleus of the population that cleans the entire island so it does not get dirty.

What do you consider to be your heritage?
N. C. C.: It is an honor to have a heritage like this one on the Island of Mozambique. It is a doing. The island is working on keeping for visit the museum, the statues of Vasco da Gama and Luís de Camões. It's very important.

Did you visit any museums? If so, what is your opinion about them?
N. C. C.: I already entered the museum, in high school. I went to the fortress. The way museums are... there can is no interaction. It has to be as it is. There can be no change because it is historical and we can consider its heritage. People there explain to you step by step.

What do you think about the fortress? (São Sebastião Fortress)
N. C. C.: The most essential is to make construction work and sightseeing tours. It is not good to have a university there, at least for the tourist, I do not know about other people. The government should build another building for the university. The fortress is just fine. Then come the people from Europe to visit and as there is the university they may not accept the people there to walk. Tourists may not be accepted.

Is there any story or anything you would like to share?
N. C. C.: The island of Mozambique is a very wonderful place but in terms of living, we are living here according to the tides. The island sometimes gets bad for living because the main activity is fishing. There are worse places than the island of Mozambique.