Centro de Local Historico de Mueda

Mueda is the largest town on the Makonde Plateau in northeastern Mozambique, serving as the capital of the Mueda District in Cabo Delgado Province. It is recognized as a significant cultural hub for the Makonde people, known for their distinctive ebony sculptures. The town is situated on the upland Mueda Plateau, which offers a more temperate climate compared to the coast. Historically, Mueda was established around a Portuguese colonial army barracks.Mueda holds a profound place in Mozambique's history due to the Mueda Massacre, which occurred on June 16, 1960. Makonde nationalists organized a demonstration in the Mueda town square to demand independence from Portugal. The district administrator ordered the arrest of the leaders, and when the crowd protested, troops were ordered to fire upon them, resulting in numerous deaths. Many others were reportedly thrown into a ravine. The exact number of casualties remains disputed, but the resentment fueled by these events was a crucial factor in galvanizing support for FRELIMO, the independentist guerrilla organization, at the beginning of the Mozambican War of Independence (1964–1975). A commemorative statue now marks the site of the massacre in the Mueda Town Square.During the War for Independence, the Makonde people were strong supporters of FRELIMO, with the Makonde African National Union (MANU) being one of FRELIMO's three founding organizations. Mueda was also a focal point for Portuguese military operations against FRELIMO, including Operation Gordian Knot in May 1970. Despite Portuguese claims of eliminating FRELIMO bases, these operations did not significantly hinder FRELIMO's ability to wage war. The Mueda airbase was attacked in 1967 and again in 1972, with all nineteen airplanes destroyed in the latter attack. The district of Mueda is bordered by Tanzania to the north via the Rovuma River, Mecula District to the west, Montepuez and Meluco districts to the south, and Muidumbe, Mocímboa da Praia, and Nangade districts to the east. As of 2007, the district had a population of 113,742 across an area of 14,150 km², resulting in a population density of 8.04 inhabitants per km². More recently, Mueda has served as a temporary home for refugees fleeing conflict.