Battle of Mugenga
{{One source|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Battle of Mugenga (1896)
| partof = Campaigns of Pacification and Occupation
| image =
| caption =
| date = October 19–20, 1896
| place = Naguema, Mozambique
| result = Tactical victory for the Namarrais
| combatant1 = 25px Portuguese Empire
| combatant2 = Namarrais
| commander1 = 25px Joaquim Augusto de Albuquerque{{WIA}}
| commander2 = Main:
King Mukhuttu-Muno
Apwiya-Mwene
Allies:
Farelay of Parapato
Napipe of Mogincual
Mussa Quanto of Angoche
Komala
Kuphula
Sauail
Bin Ibraimo
Molid-Volay
| strength1 = 385 Portuguese soldiers
| strength2 = Unknown
| casualties1 = 1 horse killed
Commander injured
| casualties2 = Unknown
}}
The Battle of Mugenga (1896) was a military engagement that occurred in Naguema, in the Mossuril District of Nampula Province, Mozambique. The battle was fought between the Portuguese colonial forces, led by Mouzinho de Albuquerque, and the Namarrais, a coalition of local warriors commanded by King Mukhuttu-Muno and his allies.
Battle
The battle pitted the Namarrais, a coalition of local warriors led by King Mukhuttu-Muno, against a Portuguese colonial force of 385 soldiers, commanded by Mouzinho de Albuquerque. The Namarrais received support from several local leaders, including Farelay of Parapato, Napipe of Mogincual, Mussa Quanto of Angoche, Komala, Kuphula, Sauail, Bin Ibraimo, and Molid-Volay.{{sfn|Província de Nampula|2021}}
The Namarrais were also guided by Naguema, or Apwiya-Mwene, a spiritual advisor. Despite being outnumbered and less equipped than the Portuguese forces, the Namarrais managed to repel the colonial troops, injuring Mouzinho de Albuquerque and killing his horse.{{sfn|Província de Nampula|2021}}
Legacy
In 2021, on the 125th anniversary of the battle, the government of Nampula Province initiated the construction of a memorial monument in Naguema to honor the Namarrais. The project, launched under the slogan "125 Anos, os Namarrais Inspirando Gerações na Consolidação da Moçambicanidade" ("125 Years, the Namarrais Inspiring Generations in the Consolidation of Moçambicanidade").{{sfn|Província de Nampula|2021}}
References
{{reflist}}
- {{cite web |last1=Província de Nampula |first1=Governo |title=GOVERNADOR DA PROVÍNCIA DE NAMPULA PROCEDE O LANÇAMENTO DA PRIMEIRA PEDRA PARA A CONSTRUÇÃO DO MONUMENTO MEMORIAL DA BATALHA DE MUGENGA DE MODO A IMORTALIZAR OS FEITOS DOS NAMARRAIS |date=October 21, 2021 |url=https://www.nampula.gov.mz/index.php/por/Informacao/Noticias/GOVERNADOR-DA-PROVINCIA-DE-NAMPULA-PROCEDE-O-LANCAMENTO-DA-PRIMEIRA-PEDRA-PARA-A-CONSTRUCAO-DO-MONUMENTO-MEMORIAL-DA-BATALHA-DE-MUGENGA-DE-MODO-A-IMORTALIZAR-OS-FEITOS-DOS-NAMARRAIS |language=pt}}
Category:1890s in the Portuguese Empire