This article provides a commentary on the translation of the first chapter of Mulheres de Cinza (2015), the first volume of the trilogy As Areias do Imperador, written by Mozambican author Mia Couto. I will start by explaining the need for Mozambicans to find forms of representation within a historical narrative which seems to be modelled according to a specific political ideology. After an overview of the narratives that characterize Portuguese and Mozambican official historiography in connection with the episode of the defeat of Gungunhana, I will explain how Mia Couto’s historical novels try to fill the gaps of identity representation for contemporary Mozambicans.…
