Regional/Cultural Day
Ano Novo
The Mozambican new year begins with family gatherings, beach parties on the Costa do Sol in Maputo, and the traditional meal of matapa (cassava leaves cooked with coconut milk and peanuts). The matapa is the national dish of Mozambique, and it is made with cassava leaves, coconut milk, peanuts, and dried shrimp. The new year is a time of renewal, and the tradition is to clean the house, pay off debts, and start fresh. Fireworks light up the Bay of Maputo at midnight, and families walk along the Avenida Marginal to greet the first sunrise of the year. The celebrations continue through the weekend, with marrabenta music spilling from every bar and club.