The culture of Mozambique is in large part derived from its history of Bantu, Swahili, and Portuguese rule, and has expanded since independence in 1975.
A few Muslims (mostly Arabs and Blacks in northern part of the country), Buddhists (mostly Mahayana and Chinese), and Hindus (virtually Indian and Pakistani) are also important.
At the end of the 1995 calendar year, there were approximately seven thousand students that attended one of the three higher level institutions.
[citation needed] The music of Mozambique can serve many purposes, ranging from religious expression to traditional ceremonies.
The marimba is a popular instrument with the Chopi of the south central coast who are famous for their musical skill and dance.
Shetani (evil spirits), which are mostly carved in heavy ebony, tall, and elegantly curved with symbols and nonrepresentational faces.
The two best known and most influential contemporary Mozambican artists are the painter Malangatana Ngwenya and the sculptor Alberto Chissano.
Groups of women in the northern part of the country perform a traditional dance called tufo, to celebrate Islamic holidays.
The country is famous for its shellfish, such as prawns and crayfish, and its combination of seafood dishes with the spicy piri-piri sauce (which literally translates to "Spicy-Spicy").
One particular stew that is without Portuguese influence is matapa, which is usually made with cassava leaves, cashews, crab, shrimp and coconut milk.
[6] Like its African neighbors, Mozambique is also blessed with a wide variety of fruits, including citrus produce (such as oranges and grapefruit), bananas, mangoes and coconuts which are enjoyed throughout the nation.
stations watched by Mozambicans are Televisão de Moçambique, YTV, STV, TIM and RTP África; Portuguese T.V.
The music, movies (by RTP África), food, and traditions are now part of everyday lifestyles of Portugal.