The weight of history is heavy in Guinea-Bissau

A farmer carrying wheat on his head poses for a picture as he walks home after a day's work in Guiledge, Guinea-Bissau on Nov 3, 2012. Guiledge was a stronghold of the Portuguese army and its fall to anti-colonial rebels in early 1973 marked the final stages of Portuguese rule.  -- PHOTO: REUTERS

A statue of Portuguese explorer Diego Cao is seen at an old Portuguese slave fort in Cacheu, Guinea-Bissau on Oct 27, 2012. Cao became the first European to set foot in the city of Cacheu, where the Portuguese would establish a slave trading port in 1480.  -- PHOTO: REUTERS

The logo of a company of Portuguese colonial forces is seen engraved on a stone in Guiledge, Guinea-Bissau on Nov 3, 2012. Guiledge was a stronghold of the Portuguese army and its fall to anti-colonial rebels in early 1973 marked the final stages of Portuguese rule. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

A Soviet-era anti-aircraft weapon used against Portuguese forces is seen in Guiledge, Guinea-Bissau on Nov 3, 2012. Guiledge was a stronghold of the Portuguese army and its fall to anti-colonial rebels in early 1973 marked the final stages of Portuguese rule. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Former Guinea-Bissau independence fighter Jose Sambe, 62, displays an old photograph of himself in military uniform at his house in the capital Bissau on Oct 30, 2012. Sambe was a teacher and interpreter during and after the independence war.  -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Former independence fighter Djenabu Sambu, 65, shows an old picture of herself in military uniform at her house in the capital Bissau, on Oct 30, 2012. Sambu was 18 when she joined the anti-colonial rebels as a cook. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

A man works putting together Guinea-Bissau's state newspaper at a printing press in the capital Bissau on Oct 30, 2012. During colonialism, the printers produced Portuguese colonial newsletters. After independence, they printed the state newspaper and official bulletins. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

The graves of unknown Portuguese soldiers who died during Guinea-Bissau's independence war are seen at a Portuguese graveyard in the capital Bissau on Oct 29, 2012.  -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Former independence fighter Samba Diakite, 69, shows his prosthetic leg in his bedroom in Gabu, Guinea-Bissau on Nov 3, 2012. In 1969, Diakite lost his leg in a mine blast set by the Portuguese army. Today there are still live mines in Guinea-Bissau's countryside, which were planted by the Portuguese during the independence war.  -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Student Rachid Malam peers off the edge of a colonial-era dock on the island of Bolama, Guinea-Bissau on Nov 5, 2012. Established in 1890, Bolama was the first Portuguese colonial capital of Guinea-Bissau. In 1941, the Portuguese moved to the present capital, Bissau. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

A colonial-era customs building, today the headquarters of a government-sponsored fishing initiative, is seen on the island of Bolama, Guinea-Bissau on Nov 5, 2012. Established in 1890, Bolama was the first Portuguese colonial capital of Guinea-Bissau. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Mohamed Daciro Djalo exits the abandoned colonial governor's mansion on the island of Bolama, Guinea-Bissau on Nov 5, 2012. Established in 1890, Bolama was the first Portuguese colonial capital of Guinea-Bissau. -- PHOTO: REUTERS