Spoorbrug bij Majojo in Mozambique c. 1886s

This is a photograph of the Majojo bridge in Mozambique, taken by Manuel Romão Pereira. It’s a document of Portuguese colonial engineering from a time when photography itself was being harnessed as a tool of empire. What we see here is more than just a bridge; it's a statement of power and control. The railway line, built by the Portuguese, was intended to extract resources and facilitate trade, entrenching colonial power. The photograph, like the railway itself, flattens the landscape, turning it into an object of administration. The bridge becomes a symbol of Portuguese ambition, literally spanning the Mozambican landscape. Understanding this image requires us to investigate the economic policies of Portuguese colonialism, the social impact of infrastructure projects, and the role of photography in shaping perceptions of Africa. It's a reminder that even seemingly straightforward images can reveal complex histories of power and exploitation.