Mozambican poet and author Mia Couto, who has earned international acclaim, reflects on his unique journey from a shy child in colonial Mozambique to a prominent literary figure. Born to Portuguese parents who fled dictatorship, Couto was raised in the port city of Beira. Despite the racial divides of the colonial era, he found solace in writing, much like his father, a poet and journalist.
As a young man, Couto’s involvement with Mozambique’s liberation movement was driven by his desire to fight against injustice. He joined the revolutionary group Frelimo and gained recognition for his poetry, which played a role in the struggle for independence. After Mozambique’s liberation in 1975, Couto faced disillusionment with the political scene and shifted his focus to ecology and literature.
His first novel, Sleepwalking Land, published in 1992, received widespread acclaim and was listed among the top African books of the 20th century. Couto’s works often explore themes of war, colonialism, and mysticism, drawing from Mozambique’s rich cultural heritage.
Couto, who won prestigious awards such as the Camões Prize and the Neustadt Prize, believes in the importance of African voices and stories. He emphasizes the need for greater unity among African writers and a deeper appreciation of the continent’s diverse cultures and histories.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq5dggv3e65o