The Mwani live along the coast of northern Mozambique. Influenced by sea-faring Arab merchants centuries ago, their culture is defined through fishing and folk Islam, Mwani literally means ‘beach’ and life is tied to the ocean. Most Mwani are very poor, those who don’t make their living through fishing, transport people by sea as well as through trading, baking, and some farming. They value peace and harmony,relationships and family bonds and respect the elderly.
The Mwani speak Kimwani. 60% of Kimwani is the same as Swahili, but speakers of each language still struggle to understand each other. Listen and learn a number of phrases.
