Carrying things

Mozambicans seem to not like to carry things in their arms. Their prefered mode of carrying something is on their heads. Common things we see being carried on people's heads include - a bundle of firewood, 20-liters of water, 25 kilos of rice or corn, basins full of vegetables or fruit to sell at the market. It seems like women are more likely to carry things on their heads; men use bicycles more. But both genders do carry things on their heads. Occasionally we see something more unusual--a small pumpkin or bottle of Coke.

If someone is not carrying an object on their head, sometimes they strap it (if it is small) in a capulana and carry it on their back. Often we'll see a mother with a small baby on her back and a 10-year old girl carrying a toddler in a capulana.

Chopas (minibuses) are often seen with lots of baggage on top of them. People transport goods to sell at markets or corn to take to the mill. Frequently we see goats on the top of chopas or strapped to the back of a bike.

This woman is carrying a hoe.