Few historical figures spark vivid imaginations across generations for various reasons: Ngungunhane is one of them. This presentation explores the shifting representations of the last Gaza Emperor, considering how, when, where, why, and by whom the nguni emperor has been reimagined in both Mozambique and Portugal over the past 130 years. From the media frenzy surrounding his capture in 1895-96, to his depiction as the adversary of Mouzinho de Albuquerque during Portugal’s Estado Novo, and later his reinvention as a symbol of anti-colonial resistance after Mozambique’s independence in 1975, Ngungunhane’s image has been shaped by diverse cultural and political contexts. Contemporary portrayals of the "Lion of Gaza" are fragmented yet laden with symbolic meaning, reflecting not only the evolving dynamics within each country but also the ongoing relationship between Mozambique and Portugal.

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Gungunhana,Colonialismo,Exílio,Identidade nacional