Lourenco Marques was a Portuguese colonial province and is located in southeast Africa in the southern portion of Mozambique. It is presently known as Maputo.

Lourenco Marques was a Portuguese trader and explorer who was sent from Mozambique Island in 1544 to investigate two rivers to the south. He reported that beads could be traded for ivory and also that there were numerous herds of elephants in that area. Initially the bay was named after him.

The Portuguese began sending trading vessels from Mozambique Island but did not really venture far inland. A small fort was built but came under attack and was abandoned. Later another fort and trading post was built, named La Goa, which was manned by a single Catholic Friar and a few merchants. This was soon abandoned as well because of an entirely different reason…. swarms of mosquitoes.

 

Between the weather, mosquitoes and aggressive tribes the Portuguese did not have fun. A Portuguese ship was raided and looted and a Catholic priest and some sailors were killed by a local Ronga Chieftain because a Portuguese sailor killed one of his brothers. The British saw an opportunity and British ships started trading with the Ronga tribes and renamed the bay Delagoa Bay. The Portuguese trade goods were considered inferior to the British goods and the British also paid better barter prices so Portugal withdrew from sea trade and sent trading parties down by land from northern Mozambique.

Around 1720, the Dutch entered the fray and the Dutch East India Company rebuilt the old Portuguese fort and called it Fort Lydsaamheid (Dutch for “Fort Endurance”). This, as well suffered. Settlers failed at growing crops, expeditions outside the immediate area (in search of gold) were met by tribes of angry natives and there were the mosquitoes. In 1729 the Dutch abandoned the fort.

The period of 1730 to 1740 saw the British, once again, take control they did not try to settle in the area however. Amusingly the Portuguese did not like the British presence and tried to force them out. A “fort” of mud and sticks was even built on the bay with 50 soldiers to dissuade the British but it was soon abandoned too.

Finally the Austrians had a go at it and established two small forts. They did moderately well until in 1781 when Portugal, in a fit of jealously, sent five ships, including a 40-gun frigate, and 500 men, from to force the Austrians out. The Portuguese took people as prisoners, seized their two anchored ships, and demolished their buildings.

This back and forth went on through to the 1900s. The Portuguese had to deal with Zulu uprisings, British and Boer attacks and much more. Eventually, in 1850, a small town was founded and became known as Lourenço Marques. It became the capital of Mozambique in 1898.

 

First Stamps Issued: July 28, 1893
Currency: Portuguese

In 1913, 8 stamps from Macau, 8 stamps from Portuguese Africa, and 8 stamps from Timor were surcharged. The stamps were from the common design type “Vasco Da Gama” issue.

 

The “Ceres” issue was released for in 1914 with 16 stamps.

 

In 1920-1921, four stamps were surcharged. These stamps were also valid throughout Mozambique.

 

 

I went back and forth about what interesting thing I could show about the area. There were the spitting snakes of Mozambique and the natural history museum but I finally settled on this one. The lady annoys me but it was better than the walk around the local market which was the second choice.

If you do find yourself wanting more there is this but if you’ve seen one museum diorama you’ve probably seen them all.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0vhafbE7_0AUiURxV6dV_k41XsS-xkpm