Religions & Traditions

99% of the people of Ibo are of Muslim Faith. This is because of the strong Arab influences in Mozambique history. In addition, islanders still respect and practice old Mozambique tribal customs and tribal religions.

Mozambique Ceremonial Occasions

On Ibo Island rites of initiation, weddings, and burials involve traditional dancing, singing and drumming. Celebrations continue throughout the night, and involve traditional Mozambique food.

Traditional Medicine And Superstition

Traditional healers in northern Mozambique are known locally as Curandeiros. It is believed that Curandeiros have the ability to communicate with the ancient spirits from Ibo. They are able to receive advise from the spirit world with regards to possible diseases or problems. The medication that the Curandeiro will prescribe is often made from roots of trees, or collected from the mangroves, which are believed to have many healing powers.

Mozambique Traditional Clothing

The brightly coloured capulana is the traditional cloth that Mozambican women wear as wrap around skirts. Traditionally on Ibo, women do not buy their own capulanas, but rather the men choose and purchase the cloths for their women. If a woman owns many capulanas it is a symbol of affluence and status.

Muciro Face Painting

For centuries, women on Ibo have been painting their faces with Muciro, a thick white cream. The cream is extracted from an indigenous plant called Kipalo which is cut in the bush, and left to dry in the sun for five days. It is then crushed on a stone with a little water and applied to the face with a traditional brush, handmade from coconut fibre. The mask is usually applied in the morning at around 5am, and removed only after the sun has set.

Labolo traditions

A man is expected to pay lobolo. On Ibo it is known as ‘Mari’ and it is a process of negotiation with the parents of the girl. Negotiations usually include money, and depending on affluence, goats, cattle and dwellings.

Part of the island's charm is how intimately involved Ibo's community is with their faith and traditions.