Timeline of Mozambique

Chronology

19 events spanning the history of Mozambique. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1 – 1000

   Bantu-speaking people settle in Mozambique.

   Bantu-speaking people settle in Mozambique.

2. 1200 – 1400

   Mozambique does not exist as a unified country, but as numerous kingdoms.

   Mozambique does not exist as a unified country, but as numerous kingdoms. The region is divided with natural boundaries by the two great rivers: Zambezi and Limpopo. The area north of Zambezi river is dominated by the kingdoms of Makua, Yao, Maravi and others. These groups are again organised in several more or less integrated sub-groups. The Shona Empire rules between the two rivers and this area later again becomes known as the kingdom of Zimbabwe.

3. 1498

   Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama reaches the shores of Mozambique with four ships.

   Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama reaches the shores of Mozambique with four ships.

4. 1500

   Vasco da Gama returns to Mozambique with more ships and weapons.

   Vasco da Gama returns to Mozambique with more ships and weapons.

5. 1506

   Mozambique, Africa, was colonized by the Portuguese.

   Mozambique, Africa, was colonized by the Portuguese.

6. 1752

   Portugal announces that Mozambique is now their colony. The slave trade starts.

   Portugal announces that Mozambique is now their colony. The slave trade starts.

7. 1869

   Portugal officially abolishes slavery.

   Portugal officially abolishes slavery, but the cruel trade with humans goes on in Mozambique until around 1900.

8. 1878

   Portugal leases large tracts of territory to trading companies.

   Portugal can only control the Southern part of the country and chooses to lease out large territories in the North to trading companies, who use conscript African labor to further their interests and build infrastructure. Britain and Germany had threatened to take over control of the colony, and this is the only solution for Portugal to hold on to their power.

9. 1884 – 1885

   The European countries splits up Africa at the Berlin conference.

   The European countries splits up Africa at the Berlin conference. Portugal claims all the land between Mozambique on the east coast and Angola on the west coast. But the country is not among the strongest European countries and has to settle with less. The “scramble for Africa” has begun.

10. 1891

    Portugal and Britain define Mozambique’s western and southern borders.

    Portugal and Britain define Mozambique’s western and southern borders.