UKANYI AND GWAZA MUTINE- CULTURAL AND IDENTITY FESTIVALS IN MAPUTO AND GAZA - MOZAMBIQUE

Abstract

The Ukanyi festival is especially important as it celebrates the Heroes day of Marracuene and the day of the Mozambican Heroes, in the beginning of February. This article seeks to discuss the historical, social and cultural value of Ukanyi in the social construction of rural communities, and how this drink and its celebration, as well as the its symbols, are configured in a cultural asset and identity of Maputo and Gaza provinces – Mozambique. As a methodological approach, we reviewed the relevant publications, especially the reports and articles of the Archives of the Artistic and Cultural Heritage of Mozambique (ARPAC), and others in the national and international scientific repositories. We also did a qualitative analysis and participatory observation. We conclude that the historical, social and cultural value of Ukanyi in the social construction of rural communities is undeniable, and this celebration also affects urban populations.