 San hunter and gatherers , ancestors of the Khoisani peoples , were the first known inhabitants of the region that is now Mozambique , followed in the 1st and 4th centuries by Bantu @-@ speaking peoples who migrated there across the Zambezi River . In 1498 , Portuguese explorers landed on the Mozambican coastline . Portugal 's influence in East Africa grew throughout the 16th century ; she established several colonies known collectively as Portuguese East Africa . Slavery and gold became profitable for the Europeans ; influence was largely exercised through individual settlers and there was no centralised administration and , in the meantime , Portugal had turned her attention to India and Brazil . 
 San hunter and gatherers , ancestors of the Khoisani peoples , <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>were</mark></a> the first known inhabitants of the region <a href='null_relcl' title='2'><mark>that</mark></a><a href='drop_aux' title='3'><mark>is</mark></a>now Mozambique , followed in the 1st and 4th centuries by Bantu @-@ speaking peoples <a href='null_relcl' title='4'><mark>who</mark></a>migrated there across the Zambezi River . In 1498 , Portuguese explorers landed on the Mozambican coastline . Portugal <a href='null_genetive' title='5'><mark>'s</mark></a>influence in East Africa grew throughout the 16th century ; she established several colonies known collectively as Portuguese East Africa . Slavery and gold became profitable for the Europeans ; influence was largely exercised through individual settlers and <a href='dey_it' title='6'><mark>there</mark></a> was no centralised administration and , in the meantime , Portugal <a href='been_done' title='7'><mark>had</mark></a> turned her attention to India and Brazil . 
San hunter and gatherers , ancestors of da Khoisani peoples , was the first known inhabitants of the region now Mozambique , followed in tda1st and 4th centuries by Bantu @-@ speaking peoples migrated thea across the Zambezi River . In 1498 , Portuguese explorers landed on the Mozambican coastline . Portugal  influence in East Africa grew throughout the 16th century ; she established several colonies known collectively as Portuguese East Africa . Slavery and gold became profitable fir the Europeans ; influence was largely exercised through individual settlers and it was no centralised administration and , in the meantime , Portugal done turned her attention to India and Brazil .