User:Nongando

Title: Angola history and culture'' Author: Israel Freitas Nongando Domingos

Overview: This is an informal talk presented on October 18, 2012 in the “Global Café” program held at Currie Hall (now renamed University Hall). Currie Hall is a Residential College administered by the University of Western Australia. The aim of the “Global Café” program is to increase and/or improve the residents’ knowledge about other countries, people and cultures. Thus, no references are cited throughout the text. The text should be read together with the power point presentation.

Introduction

Hello everyone! If we take a quick look around us right now we will realise that Currie Hall is a College where diversity is the high ground. This means we celebrate and we praise unity not uniformity. We know who we are and where we are from, so we brush up a positive identity.

As a fresher, I was asked where I was from and I believe every one here was asked the same question. This is the question none can skip when moves into Currie and gets to know the hallers. Answering that question I said I was from Angola. Sadly, almost everybody had no idea where it was or how it liked. So, today I am here to present you Angola’s photo ID, I mean, those elements that identify Angola as a nation. During this presentation I am going to talk about the geographic location, the history, the culture, and the social environment of Angola.

1.	Angola is an African Country

Angola is situated in Southern Africa. The shore lies on the Atlantic Ocean and shares borders with DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) to the North, Zambia to the East, and Namibia to the South. The climate is tropical varying from arid or semi-arid (in the south) to extremely humid (in the north) with two seasons: October – April (rain season) and May – September (dry season). Some of the most important natural resources are oil on the offshore and diamond in the northeast provinces.

Angola is a Republic with a presidential system of governance, divided into 18 provinces, roughly shaped as a rectangle and covers 1,246,700 km2 administered by Governors who represent the Central Government. An administration acts as the link between the Government and the citizens at the local level. The population is estimated to be 19,100,000 inhabitants with a population density of 15.31 people/km2. The country remains strongly centralized. Luanda is the political as well as the economic and financial capital

2.	 Angola was a Portuguese colony

The Angolan territory is inhabited since pre-history specifically since the Paleolithic period. Before 1470 five kingdoms settled in the territory: Bailundo, Bié, Congo, Lunda, and Kwanyama. Brave kings and queens ruled the kingdoms for many years, keeping own habits and costumes (= ways of life). In 1482 (?) the first Portuguese people arrived at the Congo River banks led by Diogo Cão and established the first contacts with the native Angolan people. Since then they started to explore and exploit the territory, imposing the colonial domination followed by slavery and everything else. Thousands of people died and others captured, tortured and forced to leave the country as slaves without honour or dignity.

The individualism of the kingdoms facilitated the Portuguese occupation. Each kingdom fought alone with rudimentary weapons against a well-equipped Portuguese army. Kingdom after kingdom they conquered the territory. In February 1917 Mandume Ya Ndemofayo the king of Kwanyama people, the youngest (35 years old) and the last in the resistance against Portuguese occupation committed a suicide knowing there were no more strengths or means to resist. T hen, three nationalist movements upraised against Portuguese domination: FNLA, MPLA, and UNITA. They had the same ideal but different perspective. They fought for the same goal but did not walk on a common ground. On 11/11/1975 Angola became independent from Portuguese authority but fell into a civil war right after the proclamation of the independence.

Then 16 years of war destroyed the dream of a prosperous and independent country. On 31/05/1991 was signed a peace treat in Portugal between MPLA (Jose Eduardo dos Santos) and UNITA (Jonas Malheiro Savimbi) which led to the first democratic elections and introduction of a new political system – capitalism. However, Angola failed to reach the true peace and reconciliation, and went back to war until Jonas Savimbi the leader of UNITA died in the battlefield on 22/02/2002. Two months later on April 4, 2002 a new and definite peace treat was signed. And this is a national public holyday, the day of peace!

Then Angola went through a transitional period up to September 2008 holding the second democratic elections. The constitution was altered in 2010. Unfortunately, we didn’t feel any improvement in our lives; the economic growth was not reflected in the life of the citizens so this sparked the feeling and thought of revolt. There were few indicia of uprising in 2011 and early 2012. Few young people were arrested and tortured. The reason is that 32 years of governance for one party and one president since 1979 is too much. Furthermore, corruption, injustice, and poverty increase day after day, few people benefit from the country’s resources. Hopefully and certainly the situation will not reach the peak, expecting the government to be more patriotic, just, and honest toward the people.

3.	Angola is a Bantu Black Nation

The name Angola derives from the word “Ngola” that means “the king”, “the ruler”. During the colonial occupation, Portuguese used to call the territory as “Ngolas’ land” then they changed to “lands of Angola”, and lastly we ended up simply calling it “Angola”. Literally, “Bantu” is the plural form of “Muntu”. In fact, Bantu means people who share common habits and costumes as well as people who speak the same language. Bantu is also a designation for all people living in sub-Saharan Africa.

Language is the first element that identifies one people. We have seven main Bantu languages plus several other regional dialects. These languages also represent the Angolan ethnic groups (Ovimbundo, Bakongo, Mbundo, Kyoko, Ovambo, Herero) and each ethnic group has its own habits, costumes, and values. Along with these languages we do speak Portuguese as a colonial heritage and we use it as a symbol of national unity.

So, what I have said so far is that Angola is in southwest Africa, from Bantu origin, was a Portuguese colony, became independent in 1975, and lived in civil war until 2002.

4.	Angola is a byproduct of its history

The urban population represents 59% of the total population whereas the rural population accounts for 41%. The urban population is open to external influences and innovations either linguistic, behavioural or social practices. The population confined in the rural areas, substantially preserve intact their traditions and ways of life, with own languages and behaviours and social practices perfectly distinguishable from the rest of the country. However, it is a big mistake any attempt of establishing any hierarchy or valorative scale because in this diversity it is the real cultural richness of Angola.

5.	Alembamento, the traditional marriage

It is an indispensable obligation/duty for whoever decides to marry an Angolan girl. Even if you had gotten the civil marriage you have to observe this duty otherwise it represents a disrespect to the girl's family, you will never get the respect from her family, if something happen to her you will get into troubles and face the worse moments of your life. There is a list of the items you are required to bring on the day. You can't come alone. Your parents, uncles and aunts must be there and they direct the ceremony.

6.	Addressing people

You must address elders by grandpa or grandma, people older than you by uncle or aunt, big brother or big sister. Never address your professor, or boss by their names. In everything give priority to people older than you and treat young people as your little brothers or sisters. Remember, the last word in a meeting is always for the older.

7.	Angolan culture is also manifested in the musical instruments, masks for traditional rituals, objects of common use, paintings, dance, music and sculpture.

To conclude I just want to leave some important facts about Angola. Did you know that… a)	the miss universe is Angolan – Leila Lopes b)	the 82 kg Jiu-Jutsu world champion is Angolan – Walter Ruben c)	the biggest family in the world is Angolan – a man with 43 wives and 152 children d)	Angola is the third largest producer of oil in Africa e)	20-30% of Africa’s hydro reserve is in Angola f)	Angola one of the fast growing economies in Africa g)	Luanda is one of the ten most expensive cities in the world. Thank you very much for your attention!

--Nongando (talk) 15:59, 21 October 2012 (UTC)