Mozambique’s journey from colonial oppression to independence is deeply intertwined with the life and work of Mia Couto, one of Africa’s most celebrated writers. Known for his evocative prose and poetic vision, Couto’s story is as layered and multifaceted as the nation he calls home.
Born in the port city of Beira in 1955 to Portuguese parents who had fled the oppressive regime of António Salazar, Couto’s early life was marked by the stark realities of a “colonial society.” His father, a poet and journalist, introduced him to the written word—a solace that would become his sanctuary amidst the segregation and inequity of colonial Mozambique.
“My childhood was very happy,” Couto reflects, but the divisions within Mozambican society were apparent even to a child. “So visible were the borderlines between whites and blacks, between the poor and the rich,” he recounts. This awareness of racial and social injustices ignited a deep sense of responsibility in him, propelling him toward the anti-colonial cause.
By the time he was ten, the struggle for Mozambique’s independence was in full swing. As a teenager, Couto became deeply involved in the resistance. Despite being a privileged white in a sea of marginalized voices, his commitment to the cause was palpable. His journey to join Frelimo (Front for the Liberation of Mozambique), the revolutionary movement fighting Portuguese rule, was both symbolic and personal.
At 17, Couto found himself in a room full of liberation fighters, where he was the only white participant. Overwhelmed by stories of suffering and deprivation, he felt the weight of his own privilege and crafted a personal narrative to fit in. However, his true breakthrough came when Frelimo leaders recognized the power of his poetry. “The guy that was leading the meetings asked me: ‘Are you the young guy that is writing poetry in the newspaper?’ And I said: ‘Yes, I’m the author’. And he said: ‘Okay, you can come, you can be part of us because we need poetry’,” Couto recalled.
Mozambique achieved independence in 1975, and Couto continued to work as a journalist until his disillusionment with Frelimo set in following the death of Mozambique’s first president, Samora Machel, in 1986. The once-venerated liberation discourse no longer resonated with him. This period of disillusionment marked a significant turning point in his career, leading him to study biological sciences and pursue a career in ecology.
Yet, Couto’s literary voice did not wane. His debut novel, “Sleepwalking Land”, published in 1992, garnered international acclaim for its magical realism and poignant portrayal of Mozambique’s post-independence civil war. This novel, inspired by the brutal conflict between Frelimo and Renamo, the rebel movement, earned a place among the best African books of the 20th century and has been translated into over 33 languages.
Couto’s work spans beyond the realm of political struggle to explore the mystical and the folkloric. His writing is a reflection of his belief in the convergence of various dimensions of existence—between the living and the dead, the visible and the invisible. “I want to have a language that can translate the different dimensions inside Africa,” he told the reporters. This quest for a deeper understanding of African identity and spirituality has cemented his reputation as a writer of profound insight and sensitivity.
Despite his significant achievements, Couto remains keenly aware of the broader African literary landscape. He laments the lack of communication and collaboration among African writers due to colonial language barriers. “We don’t know each other and do not publish our own writers inside our continent because of the borderlines of colonial language such as French, English and Portuguese,” he says. He hopes to see a more interconnected African literary community that celebrates its own diverse voices and stories.
For young writers, Couto offers sage advice rooted in empathy and connection. “Listening is not just listening to the voice or looking at the iPhone or the gadgets or the tablets. It’s more about being able to become the other. It’s a kind of migration, an invisible migration to become the other person,” he advises. His belief is that true understanding and creation come from immersing oneself in the experiences and perspectives of others.
Mia Couto’s contributions extend far beyond his literary accomplishments. His engagement with Mozambique’s freedom fighters and his nuanced explorations of African identity and history underscore his profound impact on the continent’s cultural and political landscape. As Mozambique continues to evolve, Couto’s voice remains a vital part of its narrative, bridging past and present, and connecting a diverse range of human experiences through the power of storytelling.
