Professor Mahlemba's words seemed to turn back time, and attentive Mario imagined images from other centuries, full of caravans, drums, and kings.
“Professor,” he asked, “how was our people governed before colonization? Were there really kingdoms, or is that just a legend?”
Mahlemba straightened up in his seat and replied, “There were kingdoms, Mário, and they weren’t small. The best known was the Monomotapa Empire, which stretched from the Zambezi River to the interior of what is now Zimbabwe. It was a land of gold, trade, and organization. King Mambo was more than a ruler: he was the guardian of harmony between the people, the land, and the spirits. He had advisors, generals, and priests who ensured justice and balance.”
He paused briefly, then continued: “Further south, the Kingdom of Gaza flourished centuries later, led by men like Soshangane. It had an army, laws, and diplomacy. And in the north and center of the territory there were other kingdoms and chiefdoms—Marav, Sena, Angoche, Sofala—each with its own system of power, all linked by trade and kinship.”
Mario shook his head in surprise. "But, professor, I always thought that the history of Africa before colonization was just villages and wars..."“
Mahlemba smiled. “That’s what many people think, Mario, because that’s how we were taught. But the truth is, there were cities, courts, alliances, and culture. Decisions were made in council, and power was shared. A king who ruled without listening to the people lost legitimacy. These kingdoms proved that Africa didn’t wait to be taught how to govern. It already knew how to do it in its own way, with wisdom, order, and faith.”
Final message: Before foreign empires, there were African empires.
Organized, wise, and humane. Mozambique was born from this strength in the art of governing without needing to dominate.
