Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Humanities, Psychology and Social Sciences
Year: 2024
DOI:
[PDF]
Monumentalizing Empire: The Role of Monuments in Mozambique (Late 19th Century to 1920s) in Portuguese Colonial Identity Formation
João Francisco Correia Fialho
ABSTRACT:
This paper examines the role of monuments in Mozambique during the period from the late 19th century to the end of the second decade of the 20th century, as part of a broader strategy of monumentalization in Portugal’s overseas territories. Monument building was a significant symbolic and political tool to consolidate Portuguese presence and reinforce imperial narratives, particularly in the context of legitimizing colonial power. In Mozambique, cities like Lourenço Marques and the Gaza region were central to this strategy, where monuments commemorating military campaigns prominently reflected the army’s role in securing Portuguese dominance in the empire. These monuments assert Portuguese sovereignty and reinforced cultural and political connections with the metropole. The predominance of obelisks and pillars as monument types reveals a focus on collective memory and national achievements, emphasizing conquest and imperial unity. Furthermore, the high number of monuments with unknown authorship underscores the emphasis on the symbolic and collective meaning of these works, rather than celebrating individual artists. This reflection provides valuable insights into the power dynamics and identity-building practices that characterized Portuguese colonialism prior to the Estado Novo regime. Monumentalization in Mozambique was not just a cultural exercise but a deliberate political strategy aligned with imperial objectives. It served as a means to affirm Portuguese authority and establish a lasting legacy of imperial memory across the African territories under their control.
keywords: Colonialism, Empire, Identity, Imperialism, Monumentalization