Rural settlements and protected villages in Niassa, Mozambique: processes and social impacts in wartime (1964-1974)

The article analyses two parallel processes: the villagization of local populations (Yao and Nyanja) and the rural settlement of Portuguese from the metropole (mainly Madeira and Azores islands) in the Niassa district, Mozambique, as a response of the colonial state to the liberation struggle initiated by Frelimo (the Mozambican Liberation Front) in September 1964. Both processes combine Portuguese national security and sovereignty with colonial development, envisioned as economic growth and social promotion. After addressing the genealogy of these processes, I will zoom in its translation in Niassa, characterize the populations involved and discuss the social impacts in their living conditions. I conclude that the protected villages and the rural settlements did not bring social promotion to the populations nor were able to create rooted and stable communities; instead were the cause of social disruption and conflict.