Mozambican Heroes Day
Celebrated annually on February 3rd of each year, Heroes Day is a public holiday that occurs in the Republic of Mozambique. This holiday is a day that remembers all of those heroes who gave their lives while the country struggled to get out from underneath the foot of colonial occupation and reached for their freedom.
Mozambique (Public holiday)This holiday is a public one, so schools are closed and many businesses are as well. It’s also a day that’s celebrated with speeches, festivals, and parades. And it’s a day on which people spend time with their families eating meals made with Xima, Piri-Piri and a fresh bread called Pao.
The History Of Heroes Day In Mozambique
By the 16th century, Portugal had established a strong colonial presence in the area of modern Mozambique, and over the years, control over the area would lead to unrest. This would lead to an armed guerrilla campaign by some movements in the area who stood against Portuguese control of the area.
Led by Eduardo Mondlane of the Mozambique Liberation Front, targets in northern Mozambique were attacked. The conflict would last over the next decade resulting in thousands of Mozambicans being killed over the course of the conflict. In 1974, a ceasefire between Mozambique and Portugal began, and the following year, Mozambique would finally gain its independence.
Facts About Mozambique
Let’s take a quick look at some of the facts we’ve uncovered about Mozambique during the course of our research for Heroes’ Day.
- Mozambique has a population of approximately 30.8 million people.
- Mozambique covers an area of 799,380 square kilometers.
- Portuguese is the official language of the country.
- The official capital of Mozambique is Maputo. This city has a population of 1.2 million.
Observing Heroes Day In Mozambique
Heroes Day is a holiday that’s celebrated in Mozambique with political speeches, memorial services, and parades. It’s also a day on which people can learn more about their history or just spend more time with their families.
Mozambique (Public holiday)
