Vínculos de sangue e estruturas de papel: ritos e território na história de Quême (Inhambane)

Abstract

This article takes the reader on a journey through the local history of Quême, helping us to understand the transition from the Hosi Zunguze to the regulado Zunguze. This process of substitution can be explained as an attempt to impose word and map-based administrative organization on the existing ritual and kinship-based territorial arrangements in that kingdom. An analysis of present-day power relationships in Quême leads us to suggest that, despite the many changes which have occurred throughout this process, greater trust continues to be placed in kinship and ritual than in the state administration.