BCI and Mafalala Museum: Walking through Mozambique’s cultural heritage side-by-side

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BCI and Mafalala Museum: Walking through Mozambique’s cultural heritage side-by-side

7:00 CAT | 05 Jun 2025

Photo: BCI

Banco Comercial e de Investimentos (BCI), in partnership with Museu Mafalala, on the last Saturday in May promoted a Mafalala Walking Tour – a memorable cultural experience that took the bank’s employees through the heart of one of Maputo’s most emblematic and historic neighbourhoods, with participants including the chairman and members of the BCI Executive Committee.

The tour began on Avenida Marien Ngoabi, the artery that separates Alto Maé from Mafala, passing by schools, the legendary Mafalala football pitch, mosques and murals that immortalize figures such as José Craveirinha, Noémia de Sousa and Eusébio.

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Under the guidance of Ivan Laranjeira, Director of Museu Mafalala, participants explored stories, origins and meanings that reveal the historical richness and daily pulse of this iconic neighbourhood.

The group also visited the Mafala Museum, a space that preserves local memory and welcomes guests, exhibitions, cultural activities and a library

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“Welcome to the Mafalala Neighbourhood, the place where the heart and soul of the city resides, which has produced two presidents of Mozambique, one prime minister, one of the greatest football players, the most representative poets and renowned musicians in the country,” stressed Laranjeira, guiding the group through unexpected routes filled with memory and symbolism.

The experience was enriched by cultural performances, including demonstrations of the traditional Tufo dance by the Tufo da Mafalala Cultural Group, with songs in the Emakhuwa language and dance steps that captivated visitors.

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In a short speech BCI’s PCE Francisco Costa recalled that culture is a strategic pillar of the bank’s activities. “We value heritage, art, collective memory and the social fabric of communities,” he said. “Our presence here is not merely institutional; it is a gesture of proximity and a sign of lasting commitment. BCI seeks to add value through initiatives that inspire, preserve and project the future with identity and meaning.”

The day’s activity reinforces BCI’s commitment to dynamics that promote the appreciation of diversity, social inclusion, the strengthening of communities and sustainable development.

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