Angola's Population: A Black African Identity

Angola is a diverse country with a population of over 34 million people as of 2022. The country has a complex racial and ethnic makeup, with several groups contributing to its demography. The population primarily consists of Bantu-speaking ethnic groups such as the Ovimbundu, Ambundu, and Bakongo, who collectively make up a significant proportion of the population. Additionally, there are other smaller groups, including the Chokwe, Lunda, Ganguela, Nyaneka-Khumbi, Ovambo, Herero, and Xindonga. Angola also has a notable population of mixed-race individuals, with European and African ancestry, as well as a small percentage of whites, mostly of Portuguese descent. The racial dynamics in Angola are complex, with a history of colonialism and slavery shaping the country's demographics. While discrimination and racial tensions exist, Angola has a reputation for relatively relaxed race relations, with interracial friendships, relationships, and marriages being common.

Angola's population is made up of three main ethnic groups, each speaking a Bantu language: the Ovimbundu, the Ambundu, and the Bakongo

In addition to these three dominant groups, there are numerous other ethnic groups in Angola, including the Chokwe, Avambo, Lunda-Chokwe, Nyaneka-Nkumbi, and Herero. Angola is a diverse country with over 100 distinct ethnic groups and languages or dialects. The majority of Angolans are Bantu peoples, and the country's culture is heavily influenced by its ethnic communities and their unique traditions, languages, and dialects.

While Portuguese is the official language of Angola, many black Angolans speak it as a second or even third language. The native languages of the three main ethnic groups—Umbundu, Kimbundu, and Kikongo—are widely spoken, and some groups have official status as "national languages." Angola's population is approximately 24.3 million, and while the majority of the population is black, there are also small numbers of mixed-race and white individuals, as well as a significant population of Chinese immigrants.

Angola has a large population of mixed-race (European and African) people, accounting for about 7% of the population

Mestiços have historically occupied high positions within companies and enjoyed privileges that other Angolans did not have. They were able to register as Portuguese citizens when Angola was declared a Portuguese province in 1951, while most ethnic Angolans did not have this opportunity. This has led to some resentment and the perception that mestiços are a privileged group. However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards more black representation in politics and leadership positions as more black Angolans have received education.

Race relations in Angola are generally relaxed, with people of different races interacting and socialising together in clubs, restaurants, and on the work floor. Interracial relationships and marriages have occurred since the early days of colonisation, and it is common for highly educated Angolans of different races to mingle and interact freely. However, there are still instances of discrimination and racism, often related to social class and income inequalities.

The influx of Portuguese immigrants in recent years has also caused some tension, as they compete with Angolans for jobs and sometimes earn higher salaries for the same work. Additionally, there is still some discrimination against whites in Angola, with some people assuming that all white individuals are rich or that they are not truly Angolan. Despite these challenges, Angola continues to be a country where people of different races mix and socialise together, and the majority of Angolans are not racist.

The majority of Angolans are Christian, with more than half of the population practising Catholicism

Angola is a majority-Christian country, with over 80% of its population belonging to a Christian church or community. More than half of the population practices Catholicism, making it the country's largest denomination.

Roman Catholic missions were largely staffed by non-Portuguese missionaries during the colonial era. However, the relevant statutes and accords required that foreign missionaries be approved by the Portuguese government and the Vatican and submit to Portuguese law and authority. This was consistent with the Colonial Act of 1930, which viewed Portuguese Catholic missions overseas as "instruments of civilization and national influence".

In the 1960s, Protestant missions had already been active in Angola for about 70 years, predating Portuguese control over the entire territory. Protestant missionaries were teachers, healers, and counsellors, and they emphasised learning local languages to better communicate with those in their mission field.

Today, the Angolan government officially recognises the equality of all religions and tolerates religious practices as long as churches restrict themselves to spiritual matters. The state protects churches and religious groups as per the constitution, as long as they comply with the law.

Angola has a history of racial mixing, which was actively encouraged during the early years of colonisation by the Portuguese

Angola has a long history of racial mixing, which was actively encouraged during the early years of colonisation by the Portuguese. In contrast to the French and British colonies, racial mixing was promoted in Portuguese colonies. This led to the emergence of the 'mestiços' or 'mulatos' – mixed-race people. Angola is said to have the largest non-English-speaking mestiço community in Africa, constituting around 2-3% of the country's population.

The promotion of racial mixing in Angola can be traced back to the early years of Portuguese colonisation, which began in 1575 with the arrival of Paulo Dias de Novais and the establishment of the colony of Luanda. During this period, interracial relationships were common, and the mestiços were often able to attain privileged positions within society. They had access to education and tended to occupy high-ranking roles in companies and government. The acceptance of racial mixing is reflected in the country's first president, Agostinho Neto, who was married to a white Portuguese woman.

However, the situation changed during the 1980s under President José Eduardo Dos Santos, when the number of mestiços in the government decreased. Despite this, racial mixing remained a part of Angolan society, and it continued to be generally accepted by the population.

Today, Angola's population is ethnically diverse, with three main groups: the Ovimbundu, the Ambundu, and the Bakongo. Mixed-race individuals (European and African) make up about 7% of the population, while whites, mainly of Portuguese descent, account for nearly 1%. The country's racial dynamics have been influenced by its history, with education and social class playing significant roles in shaping opportunities and interactions among Angolans.

The 'mestiços' or 'mulatos' are the mixed-race people of Angola, and they are said to have the largest non-English-speaking community in Africa

The mestiços or mulatos are the mixed-race people of Angola, with European, native-born indigenous Angolan, and/or other indigenous African lineages. They are said to have the largest non-English-speaking community in Africa, constituting around 2-3% of Angola's population.

The term "mestiço" is a Portuguese word referring to persons of mixed European and Indigenous non-European ancestry in the former Portuguese Empire. In Angola, the mestiços are primarily of Portuguese culture and tend to have full Portuguese names. They are the socially elite and racially privileged group in the country, with access to good education and high-paying jobs. Historically, they formed social and cultural allegiances with Portuguese colonists, identifying with them over their indigenous identities. This loyalty resulted in economic and political adversity at the hands of the white population during times of economic hardship. Despite this, the mestiços have retained their position of entitlement in Angola's political, economic, and cultural hierarchy.

The process of racial mixing in Angola started very early and continued until independence. By 1900, the percentage of mestiços in the population exceeded that of whites, as the number of Portuguese settlers was small and consisted almost entirely of males. Over time, the Portuguese felt a need to establish distinctions among the mestiços, and a complex system of social ranking emerged. For example, the term "mestiço cabrito" referred to the descendant of two mulattos, while "mestiço cafuso" was used for the child of a mulatto and a black African.

The mestiços are traditionally Roman Catholic and speak Portuguese. They live in coastal cities, especially in Luanda, where they can be found in high positions within companies and in the city's most exclusive social circles. Their privileged status arouses some envy in Angola, as they are seen as a wealthy and well-connected group. However, this has also led to some resentment from other racial groups, particularly during the nationalist struggle beginning in 1961, as the mestiços dominated the upper echelons of the government and party.

While the mestiços are a relatively small percentage of Angola's population, their influence and impact on the country's history and society have been significant. They have played a crucial role in shaping race relations and social dynamics in Angola, both during and after the colonial period.

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