Literature
Bento Baloi ,
Samuel Djive ill.
Translated from Portuguese by Sandra Tamele
Beneath the Scar
Torn from his home and unjustly labelled as "unproductive," Bernardo's story is a testament to the power of resistance and resilience.
In the aftermath of Mozambique's independence, he is caught up in the machinery of Operation Production Engagement and sent to a reeducation camp in Milange — a brutal exile for those deemed idle by the system. His beloved Maria Helena is left in Maguaza, alone and pregnant.
Love, much like memory, proves to be indelible, refusing to be easily erased.
In Beneath the Scar, Bento Baloi delves into the journey of a man who, armed with longing and dignity, survives the weight of ideology and the cruelty of being forgotten. This novel is a profound exploration of the scars that history leaves on the human spirit and the quiet rebellions of the heart. It serves as a tribute to those who endured, those who vanished, and those who waited.
It is a powerful story of love, exile, and the struggle to remain human when everything conspires to make you disappear.
Bento Baloi was born in 1968 in Maputo. His career spans 30 years as a journalist, novelist, and playwright. Baloi is leaving an indelible mark on Mozambican literature and theater, having written, directed, and acted in numerous plays, both live on stage and on the radio. He authored "Lágrimas," "Grito Humano," "Adão e Eva, Amen," "Alarme," and "Katina P, o Flagelo". His ballets, "O Filho do Povo" and "Raízes e Percursos," staged by the renowned Mozambican choreographer Pérola Jaime, have deeply resonated with audiences, sparking intrigue and eagerness to explore his works.
Baloi's works are deeply personal, offering a unique insight into his experiences. His debut novel, Recados da Alma, published in 2016, and his chronicles, Arca de Não É, published in 2021, retell the personal drama he experienced during Cyclone Idai in Beira.
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