Land of heroes: urban space and commercial life in Manjacaze (Mozambique)

Abstract

Drawing on contributions from social anthropology, sociology, geography, and history, the article examines the social dynamics that have shaped urban space in Southern Mozambique. The authors first problematise the question of space, then provide a spatial, political, social, and historical characterisation of the town of Manjacaze, ending with an analysis of the postcolonial use of urban space. The authors show that the use of space is profoundly historical, and that in it can be discerned both actions taken by the state and its agents, and the interests that bring different classes and social groups into mutual contact and conflict.