The Silent Pillars: Grandmothers in Rural Mozambique

In the rural landscapes of Mozambique, past the dusty footpaths and thatched-roof homes, live the silent pillars of family and community —grandmothers.

Their presence is often taken for granted, yet their contributions are immeasurable. While much global attention is placed on children and mothers, it is often the grandmothers who provide the steady backbone of survival, care, and wisdom, especially in communities affected by poverty, migration, and disease.

A Day in Her Life

Before the sun rises, a grandmother in rural Mozambique is already awake. She might begin her day stoking a fire, boiling water, or walking to fetch it from a well that could be a kilometer or more away. She prepares food for her grandchildren, many of whom are left in her care due to the absence or loss of their parents. Some parents have migrated for work, while others have succumbed to illness or conflict.

Throughout the day, she tends to a small garden if the soil allows, weaves mats or baskets for sale or trade, and ensures the children are dressed and, if possible, off to school. Her day doesn’t end until the last chore is done, often after dark, with only a kerosene lamp or small solar light illuminating her modest home.

Picking Up the Pieces of Loss

Mozambique has been deeply impacted by HIV/AIDS, natural disasters, and cycles of conflict. These tragedies have removed a generation of parents from many families, leaving grandmothers to step in and raise their grandchildren.

They do so with limited resources, navigating both grief and responsibility. Some grandmothers care for up to ten children with no formal support, relying instead on their strength, creativity, and community ties.

Custodians of Culture and Memory

These women are living libraries. They carry the oral histories of their people, teach traditional songs, pass down moral stories, and settle family disputes.

They are often the first teachers, the primary moral compass, and the storytellers of life before colonial rule, before civil war, before displacement. In a rapidly changing world, they are anchors, helping children understand who they are and where they come from.

Aging Without Support

Despite their central role, many grandmothers face old age without medical care, pensions, or adequate nutrition. Health issues like joint pain, vision problems, and high blood pressure are common, but few have access to treatment.

Clinics are often far away and under-resourced. The burden they carry—physically, emotionally, and economically—is immense.

Still, they rarely complain. In interviews and village gatherings, they express pride in raising the next generation, even while acknowledging their exhaustion and worries.

Quiet Leaders and Healers

In many communities, grandmothers act as informal leaders. They mediate conflicts, offer spiritual guidance, and act as local herbalists or midwives. Their experience makes them invaluable in times of crisis.

They might organize food distribution during a drought, shelter neighbors during a flood, or help a young girl navigate the challenges of puberty and early marriage pressure.

Supporting the Backbone

While organizations have started to recognize the indispensable role that grandmothers play, true support must come from within Mozambique itself. Families, communities, and politicians must realize that the backbone of the nation lies in the hands of these women.

The country's leaders need to step forward and prioritize the needs of grandmothers and the children they care for, as their contributions extend far beyond what any NGO or foreign assistance can provide. However, as we discussed in the previous article, this need for internal support also ties into the political game—the imbalance of priorities and resources within Mozambique.

Mozambican families, as the first line of support, must ensure that their elderly family members are not left to struggle alone. Communities must build on the foundation that these grandmothers have laid, promoting sustainable systems that provide care, dignity, and stability.

And politicians must shift their focus to the importance of these silent pillars, taking into account that empowering grandmothers and ensuring they receive proper healthcare, recognition, and resources is crucial for the survival and thriving of the nation as a whole.

Mozambican Folklore: Stories of Wisdom and Resilience

Mozambican culture is deeply rooted in its rich traditions, and the stories passed down through generations reflect the wisdom of the elders, often drawing on their experiences and the lessons of the past.

Here are two examples of traditional Mozambican folklore that emphasize resilience, wisdom, and the role of women in society:

• The Legend of the Moon and the Sun A beloved tale from the coastal regions speaks of the moon and the sun, once partners who shared the sky equally. However, as time went on, the moon grew tired of being overshadowed and went on a journey to ask the great spirit for advice. The spirit told the moon that both the sun and the moon had distinct roles to play, and each was equally valuable in their own right. This story emphasizes balance, an essential value in Mozambique, highlighting how the roles of women and men, old and young, must complement one another for the greater good.

• The Story of the Healing Tree There is a tale of a magical tree that grew in the heart of Mozambique, believed to hold the power to heal the sick and protect the vulnerable. The tree's strength came from the care and protection provided by the elders, particularly the grandmothers, who ensured the tree flourished by passing on their knowledge to younger generations. This story underscores the importance of passing down wisdom, much like the grandmothers who carry forward the values of their ancestors to guide their grandchildren through life's challenges.

Why Their Stories Matter

To understand the resilience of Mozambique is to understand the grandmothers who hold it together. They have endured war, famine, floods, and loss—and they continue to give, teach, and lead. They are not merely caretakers of the past; they are bridges to the future.

By acknowledging their role and supporting their needs, we invest in the wellbeing of entire communities.

Their strength deserves more than just admiration—it deserves action, awareness, and lasting support.