A MEMÓRIA DO HERÓI E A HISTÓRIA DO VILÃO:

(des) construções pós-coloniais sobre personalidades moçambicanas.

Abstract

The article "The Memory of the Hero and the History of the Villain: Postcolonial (De)constructions of Mozambican Personalities" analyzes the social and symbolic perceptions of historical figures in Mozambique's collective imagination, highlighting the processes of constructing heroes and villains in the postcolonial context. Based on data from 52 participants, mainly secondary school students from Sofala Province, the research reveals that figures such as Samora Machel, Eduardo Mondlane, and Josina Machel are praised for their contributions to the struggle for independence and the consolidation of national unity. Other personalities, such as Afonso Dhlakama and Mia Couto, receive recognition for their political and cultural roles, although their images combine elements of progress and controversy. The study explores the criteria that determine historical relevance and the meanings attributed to events associated with these figures, revealing gaps in the official historical narrative. Collective memory is marked by tensions between celebration and oblivion, reflecting cultural diversity and the ongoing quest to construct a unified national identity. Methodologically, this is an action-research study conducted in 2021, employing interviews and focus groups while considering the impact of the social context on perceptions of heroes and villains. Therefore, heroism in Mozambique is shaped by cultural, political, and social factors, with a strong emphasis on figures symbolizing resistance to colonialism and the fight for significant changes embedded in the country's history.