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Mozambique

MZ

Southern Africa

Mozambique is home to 9 documented ethnic groups in Southern Africa — led by Makua (~26%), Tsonga Mozambique (~22%), Sena Mozambique (~13%), Mozambique Other (~13%). This page blends their phenotype and demographic data into one weighted reference: skin tone, facial features, hair texture and build, drawn from published census and ancestry sources.

Demographic Composition

Composition weights are derived from self-identification in published census and demographic surveys. Each row links to the source ethnic-group atlas page.

Ethnic groupWeightSource
MakuaMakua26.0%Mozambique 2017 Census; Makua (~26%, ~8M+ of ~30M+ total). Bantu source population, predominantly northern Mozambique
Tsonga MozambiqueTsonga Mozambique22.0%Mozambique 2017 Census; Tsonga (~22%); Bantu source population, predominantly southern Mozambique. Cross-border with South African Tsonga / Shangaan
Sena MozambiqueSena Mozambique13.0%Mozambique 2017 Census; Sena (~13%); Bantu source population, predominantly central Mozambique. Cross-border with Malawian Sena
Mozambique OtherMozambique Other13.0%Mozambique 2017 Census residual; includes Makonde, Chuwabu, plus white-Mozambican (~50,000+) and Indian-Mozambican smaller groups
Lomwe MozambiqueLomwe Mozambique11.0%Mozambique 2017 Census; Lomwe (~11%); cross-border with Malawian Lomwe
Shona MozambiqueShona Mozambique6.0%Mozambique 2017 Census; Shona (~6%); cross-border with Zimbabwean Shona
Yao MozambiqueYao Mozambique4.0%Mozambique 2017 Census; Yao (~4%); cross-border with Malawian and Tanzanian Yao
Tonga MozambiqueTonga Mozambique3.0%Mozambique 2017 Census; Tonga (~3%); distinct from Zambian-Zimbabwean Tonga
Swahili MozambiqueSwahili Mozambique2.0%Mozambique 2017 Census; Swahili (~2%); cross-border with Tanzanian Swahili, predominantly coastal northern Mozambique

Mozambique Phenotype Profile

Mozambique has a heterogeneous demographic structure with Makua (~26%) as the largest single group plus substantial Tsonga, Sena, Lomwe, Shona, and other Bantu populations.

A descriptive view, not a claim about individuals

This page shows a weighted aggregate of phenotype observations across the Mozambique population, based on demographic composition from published census and ancestry sources. Phenotypes within any country are far more varied than the aggregate suggests; this is a descriptive reference, not a deterministic claim about any individual. For source-level detail on individual ethnic groups, see the constituent atlas pages linked below.

Methodology Notes

Composition weights derived from Mozambique 2017 Census.

See full project methodology →

Primary Sources

  1. 1.Instituto Nacional de Estatística Mozambique. Censo 2017. Maputo: INE; 2019.
  2. 2.Newitt M. A History of Mozambique. Indiana University Press; 1995.
  3. 3.Hanlon J. Mozambique: Who Calls the Shots? Indiana University Press; 1991.
  4. 4.Tishkoff SA, Reed FA, Friedlaender FR, et al. The genetic structure and history of Africans and African Americans. Science. 2009;324(5930):1035-1044.
  5. 5.Vail L, White L. Capitalism and Colonialism in Mozambique. University of Minnesota Press; 1980.

Other countries in Southern Africa

Aggregate phenotype references for neighbouring Southern Africa nations, weighted by demographic composition.

Browse all Southern Africaethnic groups & countries →