Godmothers of War

Curator: Elina Heikka

Godmothers of War, 2018

Madrinhas de Guerra (Godmothers of War) is a project telling the story of the Mozambican women who took part in the National Women’s Movement from 1961-1974. These women were sponsored by the Portuguese government to provide moral support to the soldiers fighting on the frontlines during the Mozambican War of Independence. Through letter writing campaigns to soldiers Madrinhas de Guerra played a critical role in the support to the colonial armed forces.

Some Madrinhas met and regularly visited the soldiers to whom they wrote letters, developing deep relationships sometimes leading to promises of marriage when the young men returned to Portugal at the end of the war.

In exchange for their support during the war, many of these women were rewarded with influential positions in society and the upper classes. Some of them were even given houses by the Portuguese government.

In 1974, when the war of independence ended with a ceasefire agreement between the Mozambican FRELIMO forces and the Portuguese government, the National Women’s Movement officially ended. Madrinhas de Guerra were ostracised within Mozambican society for their role in supporting the colonial forces.

The Madrinhas de Guerra project by Amilton Neves reflects on an important but often forgotten piece of history. He has visited the homes of the Madrinhas de Guerra who still live in Maputo today, and who embody the past of the opulence experienced during the support of the Portuguese government and the subsequent marginalisation and despise felt after independence of Mozambique.

Galeria do Paço – UMinho
Reitoria, Largo do Paço, 4704-553 Braga

Opening Hours:

Tuesday – Saturday
10:00–12:30/14:00–18:30

Sunday and Monday
Closed