Dead whale meat makes meals in Marracuene

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Dead whale meat makes meals in Marracuene

2:27 CAT | 17 Nov 2020

Photo: O País

A whale has been found lifeless on the shore in Nandza, Marracuene district, Maputo province. The reasons for the animal’s death is unknown, but its meat is being consumed avidly by the local population.

“Kala vanga heti” means “something that never ends”, and, in the south of the country, is often used to designate the whales that annually appear on the beaches to feed the people of coastal areas – as a gift from the festive season, tradition has it.

Last Saturday, this year’s prize fell to the residents of Machubo, Marracuene district.

Some residents immediately approached the carcass to cut off meat, being already aware of the tradition and sure that it would not pose any danger to health. Others have only just heard about this, and have yet to venture to consume whale meat.

Little by little, part by part, the residents are removing the whale meat, each according to their preferences. (Some believe that the whale has several types of meat.)

Legend has it that the whale – which this year is bigger than any recently found – after feeding the people, returns to its original shape and after a few days returns to the sea.

While the people ponder such matters, Marracuene District Directorate of Economic Activities has made known that it will carry out an investigation to find out how the whale died and appeared on the beach.

As the carcass is already deteriorating, the authorities will incinerate it in order to preserve the health of anyone who might still be planning to consume the meat.

By Dario Cossa

Source: O País