The Diverse Beauty Of Angolan People

Angola is a country in southwestern Africa with a population of around 35 million people. The country has a rich history and is home to some of the largest historical kingdoms in Africa, such as the Kingdom of Kongo and the Kingdom of Ndongo. The name Angola comes from the word 'ngola', an iron object that symbolised kingship among the Mbundu and Lunda people.

The country has a diverse ethnic makeup, with over 100 distinct ethnic groups and languages/dialects. The three dominant ethnic groups are the Ovimbundu, Mbundu, and the Bakongo. There are also small numbers of Mestiço (mixed African and European descent) and ethnic white Europeans.

The official language of Angola is Portuguese, although many Angolans also speak one of the six national Bantu languages, including Kimbundu, Umbundu, and Kikongo.

The Angolan people have a strong sense of identity and pride in their country, which has been shaped by centuries of Portuguese influence, including the predominance of the Portuguese language and the Catholic Church. However, the diverse ethnic communities within Angola also have their own unique customs, traditions, and native languages or dialects.

Angola's population is diverse, with over 100 distinct ethnic groups and languages/dialects

Angola's population is ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse, with over 100 distinct ethnic groups and languages/dialects. The country is home to various Bantu peoples, including the Ovimbundu, Mbundu, and Bakongo, as well as indigenous Khoisan peoples like the San. The Ovimbundu, the largest ethnolinguistic group, make up about a fourth of the population and inhabit the Bié Plateau, having migrated to the cities of Benguela and Lobito, as well as areas along the Benguela Railway. The second-largest ethnic group, the Mbundu, dominate Luanda and the Malanje highlands and account for about a fourth of the population. The Bakongo, who live in the oil-rich northwest, including the Cabinda exclave, make up about one-eighth of the population.

Other significant ethnic groups include the Lunda, Chokwe, Ngangela, Ovambo (or Ambo), Herero, Nyaneka-Nkumbi, and Nyaneka-Humbe. Additionally, there are small communities of San and Kwisi peoples who maintain a nomadic lifestyle in the southernmost provinces, with some settling in rural and urban areas. The population also includes a mixed Portuguese-Angolan mestico community, making up about 2% of the total population.

Portuguese is the official language of Angola, with about 70% of the population speaking it as a first or second language. However, the country also recognises six Bantu languages as national languages: Kimbundu, Umbundu, Kikongo, Chokwe, Kwanyama, and Ngangela. These languages have many Portuguese-derived words due to the country's colonial history. While Portuguese is the dominant language in Luanda and other parts of the country, indigenous languages are still used in daily life in certain areas.

The three dominant ethnic groups are the Ovimbundu, Mbundu, and Bakongo

Angola is a diverse country with over 100 distinct ethnic groups and languages/dialects. The three dominant ethnic groups are the Ovimbundu, Mbundu, and Bakongo.

The Ovimbundu, also known as the Southern Mbundu, are the largest ethnic group in Angola, making up 37-38% of the country's population. They live on the Bié Plateau of central Angola and in the coastal strip west of these highlands. The Ovimbundu are a Bantu ethnic group, and their language is Umbundu. Over time, a number of political entities, usually referred to as kingdoms, were formed, with the core area of the Ovimbundu kingdoms being the part of the Benguela Plateau north of the town of Huambo. The Ovimbundu played important roles as intermediaries in the slave, ivory, and beeswax trades. With the decline of the slave trade in the 19th century, the Ovimbundu turned to the rubber trade, and later to cash crop agriculture.

The Ambundu or Mbundu are the second-largest ethnic group in Angola, making up 25% of the total population. They live on a high plateau in present-day Angola, just north of the Kwanza River, and are predominant in the Bengo and Malanje provinces. The Mbundu speak Kimbundu, which has two dialects: Akwaluanda and Ambakista. The name "Mbundu" was first used by the Bakongo before it was adopted by the Ambundu themselves. The head of the main Ambundu kingdom was called a "Ngola," which is the origin of the name of the country, Angola.

The Bakongo, also known as the Kikongo-speaking people, make up an estimated 13-15% of the Angolan population. They are concentrated in the Uíge, Zaire, and Cabinda provinces, with some spilling over into the neighbouring country of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Bakongo are a matriarchal tribe, which means that women hold the authority and power in the tribe. Their former political unity was broken, and various segments of the ethnolinguistic category experienced different influences during the colonial period.

Angola's official language is Portuguese, but there are six national Bantu languages

Angola is a country located in southwestern Africa, with a diverse landscape ranging from rainforests to desert zones. It is a former Portuguese colony, having gained independence in 1975. The country is home to a variety of ethnic groups, including Ovimbundu, Kimbundu, Bakongo, and others. The official language of Angola is Portuguese, a legacy of its colonial past. However, there are also several national Bantu languages spoken throughout the country.

Portuguese is widely spoken in Angola, with about 80% of the population using it as their primary or secondary language. It is the mother tongue of around 39% of the population and is particularly prevalent in urban areas, where 85% of people speak it at home. The adoption of Portuguese as a lingua franca among various ethnic groups and the migration of people to cities during and after the civil war contributed to its widespread use.

While Portuguese is the official language, Angola is also home to numerous African languages, most of which are Bantu languages. The government has recognised six Bantu languages as national languages: Kimbundu, Umbundu, Kikongo, Chokwe, Kwanyama, and Mbunda. These languages are widely spoken across different regions of the country and are taught in schools alongside Portuguese and English.

Umbundu is the most widely spoken Bantu language in Angola, with approximately a quarter of the population being native speakers. It is mainly spoken in the centre and south of the country. Kimbundu, on the other hand, is spoken in the Luanda Province and adjacent regions by about 3 million people. Kikongo is another important Bantu language, spoken in the northwest, including the exclave of Cabinda, by about 8.24% of the population.

The adoption and promotion of these national Bantu languages alongside Portuguese reflect Angola's diverse cultural and linguistic heritage. The Institute for National Languages of Angola has played a crucial role in standardising and promoting the use of these languages in education and daily life, fostering a sense of national identity and cultural preservation.

Angola's population is predominantly Christian, with 41% Roman Catholic and 38% Protestant

Angola is a country located in southwestern Africa. Its population is predominantly Christian, with 41% Roman Catholic and 38% Protestant. The country gained independence from Portugal in 1975, and the influence of Portuguese culture is still evident today, with Portuguese being the official and dominant language. The religious landscape of Angola is shaped by the country's complex history, including the period of Portuguese colonialism and the subsequent anticolonial struggle.

During the colonial era, Roman Catholic missions were prevalent, particularly in western Angola, due to the close association between the Roman Catholic Church and the Portuguese. As a result, Catholicism became the largest denomination among Christians in Angola. However, Protestant missions, particularly those established in the 19th century, also played a significant role in the religious landscape. These Protestant denominations were often associated with specific ethnic communities and had a strong influence on the social and cultural fabric of the country.

The independence of Angola in 1975 brought about a shift in the government's attitude towards religion. The Marxist-Leninist ideology of the ruling MPLA led to a period of official atheism and religious repression. However, as the government recognised the prevalence of religion in Angolan society, it adopted a more tolerant approach, officially acknowledging the equality of all religions.

Today, Angola is a secular state, guaranteeing freedom of religion in its constitution. The country recognises a wide range of religious groups, including various Christian denominations, indigenous religious systems, and smaller communities of Muslims, Jews, Baháʼís, and Hindus. The religious diversity in Angola reflects the country's complex history and the coexistence of different cultural and ethnic traditions.

The religious landscape of Angola is also characterised by syncretism, where individuals incorporate elements of indigenous beliefs and practices into their Christian faith. This blend of traditions and beliefs showcases the unique nature of religious expression in the country.

In conclusion, Angola's population is predominantly Christian, with a significant proportion following Roman Catholicism and various Protestant denominations. This religious landscape has been shaped by historical factors, cultural influences, and the country's commitment to freedom of religion in the present day.

Angola's population is young, with over 45% under 15 years of age

The population of Angola is largely urban, with over half of the population living in towns. This is due in part to the dangers of travelling by road or rail, and the safety of urban areas during the civil war. The population is also concentrated in the western half of the country, with the capital, Luanda, being the most populous city.

The population of Angola is ethnically diverse, with three main ethnic groups, each speaking a Bantu language. The Ovimbundu make up 37% of the population, the Ambundu 25%, and the Bakongo 13%. There are also smaller groups, such as the Chokwe and Lunda, and the closely interrelated Ganguela and Nyaneka-Khumbi. In addition, there are mixed-race (European and African) Angolans, making up about 7% of the population, and a small number of white Angolans, mainly of Portuguese ethnicity, making up around 1%.

The population of Angola is also religiously diverse, with the largest religious denomination being Catholicism, to which about half the population adheres. Roughly 26% are followers of traditional forms of Protestantism, but there has also been a growth of Pentecostal communities and African Initiated Churches. A very small minority of Angolans retain traditional African religions.

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