The Macua
Primarily agriculturalists or urban, the Macua are the largest ethnic group in Mozambique, but regional differences are expressed in dialects and through traditions of dance and song. These may be experienced in Pemba and surrounding villages, especially during times of initiation rites.
There is not a lot of information on the Macua people. According to Mike Slater’s book, from Pemba northwards, the distinctive language of Makua has developed, which is only vaguely related to the surrounding languages. Only a short distance inland from the coast, Makua gives way quite abruptly to Lómwè
The heartland of the Macua in Cabo Delgado is the Montepuez area, a fertile landscape 2 hours drive westwards from Pemba.
