People & Culture
Cultural identity
When asked, many Angolans would
describe themselves as ‘Angolan’, however, it is also common for Angolans to
still identify themselves with the tribe of their ancestors. There are some 100
distinct ethnic groups in Angola all with their own language and customs; the
largest being the Ovimbundu.
Similarly, as a result of 500 years as a Portuguese colony the majority of people in Angola are Roman Catholic. However, followers of native African faiths can be found; after independence there was a large resurgence in people adopting traditions from pre-colonial times. One aspect of traditional African religion that can still be seen in Angola is spirit or ancestor worship, where offerings and prayers are made to the dead who are thought to be able to influence the lives of living generations.
Poetry and art
Traditional sights and sounds
The Futungu market near Luanda
is known for its handicrafts and is one of the best places to buy modern
artworks. Around the marketplace, visitors may also see musicians playing
traditional African instruments such as the marimba, kissange (also
known as the mbira) and ngoma drums.
Angola is known for its
traditional ethnic art, which is enjoying a resurgence in popularity. The masks
and statues of the Chokwe people in the east are regarded as some of the finest
wood carvings in central Africa. Ceramics, basketry and textiles are also well-practised
art forms.
Sport
Today, it’s the modern culture
of sport, particularly football and basketball, which best unites Angolans.
Angolans were thrilled when their nation reached the Football World Cup final
draws in 2006.
The sport of capoeria
is also very popular among young people in Angola. It is said to have
originated among Angolan slaves who were taken to Brazil. Here, the slaves
practised this unusual combination of dance and martial arts as a way to
channel aggression and express themselves.
Religion
Religious Beliefs. Especially in the coastal regions, Christianity dates
back a long time. A Christian church was established in the Kongo region by the
end of the fifteenth century. It is unclear how many residents are Christian;
the Roman Catholic Church figures range from 38 percent to 68 percent. Another
15 to 20 percent belong to Protestant denominations, such as Methodist,
Baptist, and African churches. For many people there is no contradiction
between Christian faith and aspects of African religions. Thus, religious
specialists such as diviners and healers hold an important position in society.
The government, with its socialist outlook, has been in frequent conflict with
religious leaders. Because the Roman Catholic Church has great influence and
was associated with Portuguese colonialism, relations with that faith have been
especially tense. Since the move toward a more liberal political system,
relations with the established churches have eased considerably, although
troubling incidents continue to occur. An unknown number of residents do not
profess any religion.
Religious Practitioners. Traditional healers and diviners have been disregarded by
the socialist government. Although the role of these religious practitioners in
the community often increased during
Street children in Luanda. Poverty
and war have caused the number of orphaned and homeless Angolan children to
grow at a rapid rate.
Rituals and Holy Places. Because of the war, many religious practices have been
discontinued and cultural institutions are no longer in use. Amid the chaos of
the war, many formerly meaningful places and activities have lost their
function. Under the influence of the churches, a number of traditional African
religious practices have disappeared. In the war context, people attempt to
find new ways to address the critical situation. Thus, malign spirits are
exorcised in newly established independent churches, children wear amulets to
prevent being forced into the army during round-ups, and soldiers strictly
follow all the rules given them to make a magic potion against bullets.
Death and the Afterlife. In many Angolan societies, a funeral is an extremely important event; mourning rituals often are regarded as essential for the peace of the deceased's soul. Because of the war, there is often no opportunity to carry out the appropriate rituals for the dead. Although people have sought alternative forms of mourning, war victims sometimes are left unburied. Apart from the personal trauma this may involve, many people fear that restless spirits will further disrupt social life.
The Arts and Humanities
Literature. Angola has an outstanding literary tradition. An
important genre has been political poetry, of which the former president
Agostinho Neto was a significant representative. The arts, relatively free from
censorship, have been an important way to express criticism of the political
system. Oral literature is important in many communities, including mermaids in
Luandan lore, Ovimbundu trickster tales, and sand graphs and their explication
in the east.
The
press has been largely controlled by the MPLA and UNITA. Journalists who
express alternative views have been curbed in the exercise of their profession:
Murder, censorship, and accusations of defamation have been used to suppress an
independent press. Radio constitutes an important source of information, but
has been dominated by belligerent parties for a long time; although, a Catholic
radio station, Rádio Ecclésia, has been established.
Graphic Arts. Crafts such as wood carving and pottery are sold in
neighboring countries. Luanda has a number of museums, including the Museum of Anthropology.
Performance Arts. Angolan music, with its ties to Brazil, has received
international attention. The most popular spectator sports are soccer and
basketball.
