Culture and Traditions Cultural Traditions: The Bride Price
ANGOLA
In Angola, there is a still a strong cultural
The culture of Angola is influenced by the
Portuguese. Portugal occupied the coastal enclave tradition of the asking of the hand in
Luanda, and later also Benguela, since the marriage, the alambamento or bride price.
16th/17th centuries, and expanded into the Considered by some as more important than
territory of what is now Angola in the 19th/20th the civil or religious marriage, the
centuries, ruling it until 1975. Both countries share alambamento consists of a series of rituals, like
cultural aspects: language (Portuguese) and main the delivery of a letter with the request for the
religion (Roman Catholic Christianity). However, hand of the bride, which often comes with a
the Angolan culture is mostly native Bantu, which money offering.
was mixed with Portuguese culture. The diverse
ethnic communities with their own cultural traits,
FACTS
traditions and native languages or dialects include
The Republic of Angola the Ovimbundu, Ambundu, Bakongo, Chokwe,
Avambo and other peoples.
Capital: Luanda The Thinker is one of the
Population: 29 million
most beautiful pieces of the
Area : 1.25m sq km
Major languages: Portuguese (official), Chokwe origin and
Umbundu, Kimbundu, represents all Angolans by
Kikongo symbolizing its national
Major religion: Christianity culture.
Life expectancy: 58 years (men), 64 years
(women)
The Angolan People
Currency kwanza
Angolan cuisine is the cuisine of Angola, a
The major ethnic groups are the Ovimnumdu, the country in south-central Africa. Because
The word "Angola" derives from the title used by
largest, who live predominantly in the central Angola was a Portuguese colony for centuries,
the rulers of the Ndongo state. The title ngola was
highlands; the Mbundu who cluster around Portuguese cuisine has significantly influenced
first mentioned in Portuguese writings in the
Luanda province; and the Bakongo who live in the Angolan cuisine, with many foods being
sixteenth century. A Portuguese colony founded
northwest provinces. Other large groups include imported from Portugal
on the coast in 1575 also came to be known as
the Nganguela and the Lunda-Chockwe.
Angola. At the end of the nineteenth century, the
name was given to a much larger territory that
was envisaged to come under Portuguese
influence. These plans materialized slowly; not
until the beginning of the twentieth century did
Portuguese colonialism reach the borders of
present-day Angola. In 1975, this area became an
independent country under the name República
Popular de Angola (People's Republic of Angola). A typical Portuguese Fish calulu, a typical dish
Later the "Popular" was dropped. feijoada à transmontana from Angola and São Tomé
e Príncipe
BEAUTIFUL PLACES
Situated in Lunda
Sol, the Dala
Waterfalls are
about 60m high
and conjure a
spectacular scene
with the mist and
spray created from
ANGOLA
the crashing of the
water on the rocks
below.above sea
The capital of Angola is full of stark level.
contrasts. The beautiful Atlantic Ocean views
are disrupted by busy ships and the high rise
modern looking buildings are contrasted by
lean to huts built to accommodate people in The Tundavala Fissure is one of the most
the rapidly expanding city. spectacular natural sights in Angola. It can be
found between the cities of Lubango and
Namibe at an elevation of 2,600m above sea
level.
Only a 70km ride south from Luanda is the
Parque Nacional de Kissama, a wildlife This mythical lake can be found in Moxico,
sanctuary that has utilized stunning natural eastern Angola. It is the largest lake in the
settings to protect and preserve many African country and serves as an important tourist spot.
species. The park began life as a nature Despite being situated just outside of the
reserve in 1938 and subsequently evolved into Cameia Park boundaries, the lake is teeming
a National Park in 1957. with wildlife including rare bird species and
aquatic life.
