The Mackerel Years

A Memoir of War, Hunger, and Women's History in 1980s Mozambique

Book talk presented by Dr. Kathleen Sheldon

In the early 1980s, historian Kathleen Sheldon traveled to Mozambique with her physician husband and their young daughter to conduct research and support the newly independent socialist Frelimo government as cooperantes. Amidst Cold War tensions, political instability and economic hardship made daily life difficult, with food shortages leading to what Mozambicans remember as "the mackerel years." The Mackerel Years is both a memoir and a critical analysis of this period, offering insights into women's lives, healthcare challenges, and South Africa-backed efforts to destabilize Frelimo. Through personal experiences and historical reflection, Sheldon illustrates the feminist maxim that "the personal is political."

Kathleen Sheldon is an independent historian who primarily writes about African women and Mozambique. Her previous publications include African Women: Early History to the 21st Century, Pounders of Grain: A History of Women, Work, and Politics in Mozambique, the Historical Dictionary of Women in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the edited collection, Courtyards, Markets, City Streets: Urban Women in Africa. She received her Ph.D. in history from UCLA in 1988 and her M.A. in African Area Studies in 1977. For more information, see www.kathleensheldon.net.

Published: Sunday, March 23, 2025