Tofo Nhatofo Tofo Mozambique | |
---|---|
Nickname: Tof | |
Coordinates: 23°51′20″S35°32′53″E / 23.85556°S 35.54806°E | |
Country | Mozambique |
Province | Inhambane |
Area | |
• Total | 17 km2 (7 sq mi) |
• Land | 9 km2 (3 sq mi) |
• Water | 8 km2 (3 sq mi) |
Elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
Population | |
• Total | 15,000 |
• Density | 7/km2 (20/sq mi) |
Time zone | +2 |
Area code | +258 |
Website | https://www.tofomz.com |
[1] |
Tofo Beach (pt: Praia do Tofo) or simply Tofo is a small town in southeastern Mozambique. The town lies on the Indian Ocean coast, on Barra Beach peninsula in Inhambane Province, Jangamo District, 22 km drive from Inhambane city. [2]
The main local language spoken in Tofo, Mozambique is Bitonga, which is related to Chopi. It is a Bantu language that is spoken in the southeastern part of Mozambique. Bitonga is also one of the official languages of Mozambique, along with Portuguese. Other languages that are spoken in the region include Makhuwa, Chopi, and Sena. The diverse linguistic landscape of Tofo reflects the rich cultural heritage of the area., [3]
Tofo has a history that dates back to the pre-colonial era. The town was originally inhabited by the Bitonga people, who were skilled fishermen and traders. During the 16th century, Portuguese explorers arrived in the region and established a trading post in nearby Inhambane. This led to the introduction of Christianity and the Portuguese language to the area. [4]
In the 19th century, the Bitonga [5] people were conquered by the Gaza Empire, which was led by the powerful ruler Soshangane. The Gaza Empire controlled much of what is now southern Mozambique, including the Tofo region. The Bitonga people were forced to pay tribute to the Gaza Empire, and many were enslaved and taken to other parts of the empire.
During the colonial era, Tofo and the surrounding region became part of Portuguese East Africa. The Portuguese introduced cashew farming to the area, and many local people were forced to work on the plantations. In the 1960s, a liberation struggle began against Portuguese rule, and Tofo became a center of resistance.
After Mozambique gained independence in 1975, Tofo and the surrounding region experienced significant economic growth. Tourism became an important industry.
Tofo is a small coastal town located in southeastern Mozambique, near the city of Inhambane. It is situated on the Indian Ocean and boasts a long, sandy beach with clear turquoise waters. The town is surrounded by lush vegetation, including palm trees and mangroves, and is known for its natural beauty and wildlife, including dolphins, whales, and sea turtles. The region also features several coral reefs and is popular among divers and snorkelers. Tofo is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world to experience its unique geography and marine life. [6]
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique, is a country located in southeast Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west, and Eswatini and South Africa to the south and southwest. The sovereign state is separated from the Comoros, Mayotte and Madagascar by the Mozambique Channel to the east. The capital and largest city is Maputo.
Inhambane is a province of Mozambique located on the coast in the southern part of the country. It has an area of 68,615 km2 and a population of 1,488,676. The provincial capital is also called Inhambane.
The native folk music of Mozambique has been highly influenced by Portuguese colonisation and local language forms. The most popular style of modern dance music is marrabenta. Mozambican music also influenced another Lusophone music in Brazil, like maxixe, and mozambique style in Cuba and New York City.
Gaza is a province of Mozambique. It has an area of 75,709 km2 and a population of 1,422,460, which is the least populous of all the provinces of Mozambique.
The Tsonga people are a Bantu ethnic group primarily native to Southern Mozambique and South Africa. They speak Xitsonga, a Southern Bantu language. A very small number of Tsonga people are also found in Zimbabwe and Northern Eswatini. The Tsonga people of South Africa share some history with the Tsonga people of Southern Mozambique, and have similar cultural practices, but differ in the dialects spoken.
The Ndau are an ethnic group. The name "Ndau" means Land. Just like the Manyika people in northern Manicaland, their name Manyika also meaning "Owners of the Land", the name Ndau means Land. E.g "Ndau yedu" meaning "our land" When the Ngoni observed this, they called them the Ndau people, the name itself meaning the land, the place or the country in their language. A traditional outsider suggestion is that the name is derived from the Nguni words "Amading'indawo" which means "those looking for a place" as this is what the Gaza Nguni called them and the name then evolved to Ndau. However, they are described in detail to have already been occupying parts of Zimbabwe and Mozambique in 1500s by the Portuguese missionary Joao dos Santos. The five largest Ndau groups are the Magova; the Mashanga; the Vatomboti, the Madanda and the Teve. Ancient Ndau People met with the Khoi/San during the first trade with the Arabs at Mapungumbwe and its attributed to the Kalanga, Venda, Shona, and Ndau peoples. They traded with Arabs with "Mpalu", "Njeti" and "Vukotlo" these are the red, white and blue coloured cloths together with golden beads. Ndau people traded traditional herbs, spiritual powers, animal skins and bones.
Inhambane, also known as Terra de Boa Gente, is a city located in southern Mozambique, lying on Inhambane Bay, 470 km northeast of Maputo. It is the capital of the Inhambane Province and, according to the 2017 census, has a population of 79,724, growing from 54,157 in the 1997 census.
Mozambique is a multilingual country. A number of Bantu languages are indigenous to Mozambique. Portuguese, inherited from the colonial period, is the official language, and Mozambique is a full member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. Ethnologue lists 43 languages spoken in the country.
Articles related to Mozambique include:
The Chopi are a Bantu ethnic group of Mozambique. They have lived primarily in the Zavala region of southern Mozambique, in the Inhambane Province. They traditionally lived a life of subsistence agriculture, traditionally living a rural existence, although many were displaced or killed in the civil war that followed Mozambique's liberation from Portuguese colonial rule in 1975. In addition, drought forced many away from their homeland and into the nation's cities.
The Gaza Empire (1824–1895) was an African empire established by general Soshangane and was located in southeastern Africa in the area of southern Mozambique and southeastern Zimbabwe. The Gaza Empire, at its height in the 1860s, covered all of Mozambique between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers, known as Gazaland.
The culture of Mozambique is in large part derived from its history of Bantu, Swahili, and Portuguese rule, and has expanded since independence in 1975. The majority of its inhabitants are black Africans. Its main language is Portuguese. Its median religion is Roman Catholicism, but only about 40% of the inhabitants are Christian. It has a rich history in the areas of arts, cuisine, and entertainment.
Zavora is a beach, north east of Maputo in Mozambique, in the district of Inharrime, province of Inhambane. It is located 420 km north east of Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, and 27 km east from the town of Inharrime. The capital of the province, the city of Inhambane, is approximately 2 hours drive away towards the North East.
Jangamo District is a district of Inhambane Province in south-east Mozambique. Its principal town is Jangamo. The district is located in the south of the province, and borders with Homoine District in the north and with Inharrime District in the south and in the west. In the east, the district is bounded by the Indian Ocean. The area of the district is 1,294 square kilometres (500 sq mi). It has a population of 93,681 as of 2007.
Inharrime District is a district of Inhambane Province in southeastern Mozambique. Its principal town is Inharrime. The district is located at the south of the province, and borders Panda and Homoine Districts in the north, Jangamo District in the northwest, Zavala District in the south, and Manjacaze District of Gaza Province in west. In the east, the district is bounded by the Indian Ocean. The area of the district is 2,744 square kilometres (1,059 sq mi). It has a population of 97.471 as of 2007.
Massinga District is a district of Inhambane Province in south-east Mozambique. Its principal town is Massinga. The district is located at the east of the province and borders with Inhassoro District in the north, Vilanculos District in the northeast, Morrumbene District in the south, and with Funhalouro District in the west. In the east, the district is bounded by the Indian Ocean. The area of the district is 7,458 square kilometres (2,880 sq mi). In terms of the area, this is the biggest district of Inhambane Province. It has a population of 184,531 as of 2007.
Morrumbene District is a district of Inhambane Province in south-east Mozambique. Its principal town is Morrumbene. The district is located at the east of the province and borders with Massinga District in the north, Homoine District in the south, and with Funhalouro District in the west. In the east, the district is bounded by the Indian Ocean. The area of the district is 2,608 square kilometres (1,007 sq mi). In terms of the area, this is the biggest district of Inhambane Province. It has a population of 124,471 as of 2007.
Barra Beach or simply Barra is a tourist beach in southeastern Mozambique. This holiday settlement lies on the Indian Ocean coast, on the Ponta da Barra peninsula in Inhambane Province, 25 km drive from Inhambane city. A major Mozambican tourist destination, Barra is home to beach resorts, private vacation homes, restaurants and diving charters. Snorkeling is popular below the Barra Lighthouse at low tide where there is a natural tidal pool. The wreck of the SS Inharrime, an Italian built cargo ship that ran aground in 1949, lies exposed nearby. The Barra and Tofo area is one of the global hotspots for divers to see whale sharks, sea turtles and manta rays.
Barra Lighthouse is a lighthouse in southeastern Mozambique. The lighthouse stands on the Indian Ocean coast, at Barra Beach on the Ponta da Barra peninsula in Inhambane Province, 25 km drive from Inhambane city. The beach is a major Mozambican tourist destination. Snorkeling is popular below the lighthouse at low tide where there is a natural tidal pool. The wreck of the SS Inharrime, an Italian-built cargo ship that ran aground in 1949, lies exposed nearby. The Barra and Tofo area is one of the global hotspots for divers to see whale sharks, sea turtles and manta rays.
Tofinho Beach or simply Tofinho is a tourist Beach, Monument and Residential area in southeastern Mozambique. This holiday settlement lies on the Indian Ocean coast, on the Ponta da Barra peninsula in Inhambane Province, 1.5km south of Tofo, 25km Northeast of Inhambane in Mozambique.