Ever seen a Mozambican Presidential Inauguration?

Yeah, neither had we. Actually, I've never physically been present for an American President's inauguration. The week that we arrived here in Maputo, we learned that the inauguration for President Nyusi was to be later that week. The inauguration took place at the Town Hall which is visible from the balcony of our hotel room.

Starting Monday morning, we were greeted with the sounds of crews constructing various stages and seating areas. A marching band practiced daily with a large contingent of the Mozambican military rehearsing their marching processional. Suffice to say after four days straight of one song on repeat, it still haunts my dreams. I catch myself randomly humming it subconsciously. It's going to take quite some time (and several catchy Taylor Swift songs) to override that tune.

Thursday was the big event. We found out Tuesday afternoon that the government had declared it a public holiday so Dan got the day off. Unfortunately, I work for a US/UK company who for some unknown reason didn't think that a new Mozambican President was a valid reason to give a day off. Thankfully, all events were very slow moving so Dan just knocked on the sliding glass door when I needed to come out and view something that had the possibility of being worth watching.

The morning festivities started around 8am with music over loud speakers. There was a red carpet rolled out and Nyusi arrived in a vehicle processional. He was seated in the center red tent on the right just in front of the Town Hall. There was a podium at the front of it to address the citizens.

After the soon-to-be President's arrival, the festivities began. There were small stages on either end that had dance performances on one side and a choir on the other. Eventually, the speeches began and we assume the President was sworn in. I say "we assume" because this was all done in Portuguese and over a series of loud speakers making it very difficult to decipher what was actually being said. Periodically, the crowd would cheer and stand in support. Once that was done, the party began.

Some local children walked through and stopped in front of their new President, sang a song, and released balloons the colors of the Mozambican flag into the sky.

After the kids walked on, the marching band led the beginning of the military processional into the area. That went on for quite awhile as several branches of military in different uniforms marched past and saluted the new President.

Upon the completion of the military processional, the seated guests rose and started to make their way out (around 1pm). Many of the public who came out for the event stayed behind. Music was played over speakers for another hour and a half or so. Finally, around 2:30pm, the booming bass stopped and people cleared out. 

It was certainly an interesting piece of history to witness firsthand!