From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The community of ethnic Chinese in Mozambique began to form soon after Mozambique became a Portuguese province in 19th century. Chinese were brought from Macau, then also a Portuguese province, by Portuguese as laborers to work to their plantations. After working, they decided to stay permanently. Further waves of Chinese settlers from Macau came, including Macanese people. After Mozambique gained its independence in 1975, both Chinese and Macanese supporters of Portuguese rule departed the country. All of them speak Portuguese as a first or second language, and may also speak one of main Bantu languages. A few among them speak Macanese, an almost extinct Portuguese Creole. Only a small number of them speak Cantonese. Most ethnic Chinese in Mozambique are Christians (most are Roman Catholics) or Mahayana Buddhists.
