Brug over de rivier Matola in Mozambique met mannen erop c. 1886s

This photograph shows a bridge over the Matola River in Mozambique, taken by Manuel Romão Pereira. The image is part of a series documenting the Lourenço Marques railway. The photograph offers a glimpse into the era of colonial expansion and infrastructure development in Africa. Bridges like this one facilitated resource extraction, trade, and the assertion of colonial power. The men who stand on it likely represent a mix of laborers, engineers, and possibly colonial administrators. Their presence highlights the human element involved in these large-scale projects. The subdued tones of the photograph evoke a sense of a past era. It prompts reflection on the complex relationship between progress, colonialism, and the often-unacknowledged human cost.