History & Area Studies / Thematic History / Social & Cultural History

How Mozambicans Used Music to Resist Colonial Oppression (1890-1940)

Matheus Serva Pereira

In this video, we explore the hidden history of 'Batuque'—a term Portuguese colonizers used to dismiss African music and dance as mere noise. But for the people of Mozambique, these rhythms were a powerful tool of resistance, negotiation, and survival. Drawing from Matheus Serva Pereira's research, we uncover how African communities in Lourenço Marques (now Maputo) turned their joy, laughter, and music into acts of defiance against colonial rule. From the 'cement city' to the 'reed city,' we'll show how Batuque challenged racial segregation, legal categories like 'assimilated' and 'native,' and the very fabric of colonial power. You'll learn about the 'politics of noise,' the role of newspapers in shaping colonial attitudes, and why happiness itself became a form of resistance. This isn't just history—it's a lesson in how the oppressed reclaim their humanity. Watch to understand the untold story of Mozambique's colonial past and the enduring power of culture.