PHOTO GALLERY

BILIBIZA, Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique

The Cabo Delgado province is the least developed province in the country along with Niassa. Most people live in small villages, and manage small farm plots. This province was where the independence war against the Portuguese began, and was the first area to be liberated. The main group of people in this region are known as the Macua. 

Downtown Bilibiza  - during the rainy season. The main street turns into a small river when the first rains start in December.	This old Portuguese cartel sits in the middle of Bilibiza - a reminder of a not too distant colonial past. People in the village have left the old buildings vacant - they are superstitious the Portuguese will return one day, and drive them out.
Macua girls and young women often use a special plant mixture to help improve the appearance of their skin.	Women in Bilibiza start having children at age 18, when they also marry. A typical price for a wife in Bilibiza (the husband must pay the parents of the bride) is between US$7 and US$15. but most families also accept goats as payment.
During the dry season, the people in the village spend most weekend nights dancing, drumming and singing.	Most houses in Bilibiza are similar to this one, made from mud, stones and bamboo, with large leaves used to make the roof. These types of houses can last up to 8 years, depending on rains - although the roofs have to be replaced every 2 or 3 years.

Move onto Page 2 of the Cabo Delgado Province