Internationally renowned author and poet Mia Couto identifies as African, despite his European roots. His Portuguese parents relocated to Mozambique in 1953, escaping the oppressive regime of Antonio Salazar. Couto was born in the coastal city of Beira two years later.
Reflecting on his upbringing, Couto recalls a “happy childhood” while also recognizing the stark realities of a “colonial society” with visible divisions between social classes based on race. As a painfully shy child, Couto found comfort in writing, following in the footsteps of his father who was a poet and journalist. “I created a bond with paper, which represented someone who listened to me and validated my existence,” he said.
Navigating his identity in a colonial context, Couto found kinship among the black elite, known as “assimilados,” who were deemed “civilized” enough to become Portuguese citizens. He cherishes the friendships he formed with their children, which helped him integrate into the larger black community.
Yet Couto was acutely aware of his white privilege. He expressed this concern: “I realized I couldn’t be truly happy without addressing the injustices around me.”
At the age of 10, the struggle against Portuguese colonial rule intensified, culminating in his involvement as an anti-colonial poet. When summoned at 17 to present to the revolutionary group Frelimo, he found himself the only white participant in a room filled with stories of hardship. Overwhelmed, he hesitated but was ultimately invited to join their cause based on his poetic contributions.
After Mozambique gained independence in 1975, Couto continued working in journalism until disillusionment with Frelimo led him to pursue a career in biological sciences and coastal ecology. He returned to literature, writing poetry and novels that delve into themes of war, colonialism, and resilience.
Couto’s literary debut, “Sleepwalking Land,” published in 1992, is a poignant exploration of Mozambique’s civil conflict and was lauded as one of the best African books of the 20th century. Throughout his career, he has explored the complexities of African identity, collision with colonial legacies, and mystical elements of folklore.
In 2013, Couto received the prestigious Camões Prize, and in 2014, the Neustadt International Prize for Literature, solidifying his status in the literary realm.
In discussing the reflections of contemporary Africa in his work, he notes the continent’s divisions and lack of mutual recognition due to colonial constructions of language. Couto expresses disappointment over the isolation of African writers from one another, urging them to engage more deeply with their own cultural heritage and to bridge gaps between nations.
Although recent political unrest led to the cancellation of his attendance at a festival in Kenya, Couto is optimistic about future collaborations among African authors. He advocates for breaking down barriers to promote understanding and appreciation of Africa’s diverse voices.
To aspiring writers, Couto emphasizes the importance of listening deeply to others, suggesting that true empathy allows us to connect with the characters and stories that resonate within us. “If a character in a book touches you, it’s likely that they’ve existed within you all along,” he concludes.
