Exploring Angola-Portugal: Traditions And Cultural Legacy

Angola's culture has been heavily influenced by its history of Portuguese colonisation, which lasted for over 400 years. Portuguese explorers first arrived in the country in the 16th century, and the country remained under Portuguese rule until 1975. As a result, the indigenous Bantu culture of Angola has been greatly shaped by Portuguese customs.

The official and dominant language in Angola is Portuguese, and the majority of the population are Christian, specifically Roman Catholic. However, these dominant cultural traits exist within a backdrop of considerable cultural diversity due to the many ethnic communities and tribes indigenous to the country.

The various tribes and ethnic groups in Angola tend to cluster in certain areas, each with their own customs, language and history. The major ethnic groups are the Ovimbundu, the largest, who live predominantly in the central highlands; the Mbundu, who cluster around Luanda province; and the Bakongo, who live in the northwest provinces. Other large groups include the Nganguela and the Lunda-Chokwe.

The traditional life patterns of these groups have changed significantly in recent decades, particularly due to the civil war that lasted from 1975 to 2002. Old social rites connected to births, marriages and deaths are not practised to the same extent as before.

Despite the influence of Portuguese culture, Angolans are very spirited people with a love for festivals and merriment. Folk music is important and well-preserved, particularly the semba genre, which is played during a wide range of social gatherings. Angolan artisans are also skilled in sculpture and craft-making, using raw materials such as wood, clay and bronze.

Angola's national identity is weak, with most Angolans identifying more with their own ethnic group, such as the Ovimbundu, Ambundu, or Bakongo

Angola's national identity is weak, with most Angolans identifying more with their ethnic group, such as the Ovimbundu, Ambundu, or Bakongo. These three groups are the dominant ethnic groups in Angola, with the Ovimbundu being the largest, making up 37-38% of the population. The Ambundu are the second-largest group, making up 25% of the population, and the Bakongo are the third-largest, making up 13-15% of the population.

The Ovimbundu live in the central highlands and coastal strip of Angola and are descendants of Bantu tribes that migrated to the area over the last millennium. They have a strong Christian presence, mainly following the Igreja Evangélica Congregacional de Angola (IECA) and the Catholic Church, although some still retain traditional African religious practices. During the colonial period, the Ovimbundu played a significant role in the slave, ivory, and beeswax trades. They later became involved in the rubber trade before shifting to cash crop agriculture, particularly coffee production. The Ovimbundu were also active in the anti-colonial movement and formed the basis of UNITA, a political party that fought against Portuguese rule and later became an opposition party.

The Ambundu, also known as Mbundu, are descended from Bantu tribes and historically occupied the northwest region of Angola. They speak Kimbundu, their native language, in addition to the official language, Portuguese. The Ambundu practice matrilineal land inheritance, which sets them apart from the Ovimbundu. They were once under the rule of the Bakongo ethnic group, also known as the Kongo tribe, but gained independence in the 1550s.

The Bakongo, like the Ovimbundu and Ambundu, are descendants of Bantu tribal immigrants. They are identified by their use of the Kikongo language and were once a powerful kingdom that ruled over various territories in Africa, including what is now Angola. During the colonial period, the Bakongo resisted Portuguese rule and played a significant role in the nationalist struggle for independence. They are a matriarchal tribe, with women holding positions of authority and power.

While Portuguese rule and the shared language of Portuguese have influenced Angolan culture, the country's diverse ethnic communities, each with their own traditions and native languages or dialects, contribute to a complex national identity. The civil war and ongoing political and social divisions have further complicated the formation of a unified national identity in Angola.

Angola's official language is Portuguese, but there are over 100 distinct ethnic groups and languages/dialects in the country

The three dominant ethnic groups in Angola are the Ovimbundu, the Mbundu (or Ambundu), and the Bakongo. The Ovimbundu are the largest ethnolinguistic group, constituting around 37% of the population and speaking Umbundu. They are based in the central highlands and were heavily involved in the slave, ivory, and beeswax trades until the late 19th century. The Mbundu, who speak Kimbundu, make up around 25% of the population and are based around Luanda province. The Bakongo, who speak Kikongo, constitute around 15% of the population and are based in the northwest provinces.

There are numerous other ethnic groups in Angola, including the Nganguela, the Lunda-Chokwe, the Ovambo, and the Herero. The Lunda-Chokwe, for example, are a combination of two subsets with different origins, the Lunda and the Chokwe, who came together under the hegemony of the Ruund people. The Chokwe were originally a small group of hunters and traders but expanded in all directions in the latter half of the 19th century, even invading the capital of the Lunda Empire.

The native languages of Angola are considered national languages, and the government has recognised six of them for educational instruction: Umbundu, Kimbundu, Kikongo, Chokwe, Kwanyama, and Mbunda. However, there is a shortage of teachers for these languages in schools.

Angola's population is predominantly Christian, with Roman Catholicism being the most common denomination

Angola is a secular state that guarantees freedom of religion in its constitution. However, the country is predominantly Christian, with Roman Catholicism being the most common denomination. This religious landscape is largely a result of Portuguese colonisation, which began in the 15th or 16th century, depending on the source, and lasted for over 400 years.

Christianity has been present in Angola since 1491, when a Catholic mission was established in the São Salvador area. The Manikongo of the Kongo Kingdom, João I, converted to Christianity, and his son, Afonso I, who reigned from 1509 to 1543, was also a Christian. In the late 19th century, Protestant missionaries began to arrive in Angola, with British Baptists being the first in 1878.

Roman Catholicism has historically been the largest denomination in Angola, with estimates of the number of Roman Catholics in the country varying. One source from 1985 claimed that about 55% of the population was Roman Catholic, while another source from 1987 put the proportion at 68%. According to the 2014 census, 41.1% of the population practised Roman Catholicism.

The prevalence of Roman Catholicism in Angola can be attributed to Portuguese colonisation. During the colonial era, Roman Catholic missions were largely staffed by non-Portuguese missionaries, who were required to submit to Portuguese law and speak the Portuguese language. Missionary activity was placed under the authority of Portuguese priests, and the Colonial Act of 1930 characterised Portuguese Catholic missions as "instruments of civilisation and national influence".

The influence of Roman Catholicism in Angola extended beyond religion. In 1940, the education of Africans was declared the exclusive responsibility of missionary personnel, and the state subsidised all church activities, including education. As a result, Roman Catholic missionaries played a significant role in educating Angolans.

Today, Roman Catholicism continues to shape Angolan culture and traditions. Many traditional ceremonies and rituals have incorporated Christian elements, creating a unique blend of indigenous and Christian practices.

Angola's traditional religions believe that ancestors play a part in the lives of the living and can bring famine, plague, and disease

Angola's religious landscape is diverse, with Christianity (mainly Catholicism) and indigenous beliefs being the most prominent. The country's long history of colonisation by Portugal has meant that Portuguese culture, including the Portuguese language and Roman Catholicism, has heavily influenced Angolan society. However, Angola's indigenous Bantu culture remains strong, with many ethnic communities and tribes retaining their own unique customs, languages, and histories.

Traditional Angolan religions are characterised by a belief in the spiritual connection between the living and the dead. Ancestor worship is a common thread, with the spirits of deceased ancestors believed to remain prominent members of the community. Ancestors are thought to play an active role in the lives of the living, bringing either blessings or illnesses upon their descendants. It is considered essential to appease ancestors through rituals and ceremonies, often involving animal sacrifices, to prevent them from causing harm.

In traditional Angolan religions, ancestors are believed to have the power to bring famine, plague, disease, and other catastrophes if they are not properly revered. This belief stems from the wider worldview that leaves no room for the accidental, instead attributing all favourable or adverse events to the actions of spiritual entities. Ancestors are seen as occupying a higher level of existence than the living and are thought to be able to offer advice, bestow good fortune and honour, or make demands of their living descendants.

The failure to perform appropriate rituals for ancestors is thought to bring about misfortunes such as famine, poor crops, and personal losses. These rituals are often performed by and on behalf of specific segments of a kin group rather than the entire group. Ancestors are also believed to provide assistance in economic and social matters, highlighting the integral role they play in the lives of their living descendants.

While Christianity and Islam have gained a strong foothold in Angola, many people continue to practise traditional beliefs, often incorporating them into their formal religions. The constitution of Angola guarantees freedom of religion, and traditional religious leaders played a crucial role in the democratic resolution of the country's civil war.

Angola's cuisine features palm oil and seafood, with the feast of Nganja being a harvest festival where children roast corn

Angolan cuisine is a blend of Portuguese and Congolese flavours, with a variety of regional dishes from neighbouring countries like Zambia, Namibia, and the DRC. The country's long coastline and vast territory also mean that seafood is a key part of the Angolan diet.

One of the country's most popular dishes is Muamba de Galinha, frequently referred to as the national dish. It's a chicken stew with palm oil, tomatoes, butternut squash, and okra, served with Funge, a type of porridge made from cassava or corn flour.

Another staple dish is Mufete, a combination of beans with palm or red oil, grilled fish, boiled plantains and sweet potatoes, chopped onion, and flour.

Calulu is another common dish in Angola, made with dried fish or meat, sweet potato leaves, tomatoes, palm oil, and onions. It's usually served with rice or Funge.

As in much of sub-Saharan Africa, palm oil is an indispensable part of many Angolan dishes. The country also has a harvest festival called the Feast of Nganja, during which children roast corn.

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