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Africa Tur → Reference materials → WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA → Population and culture of Angola

Population and culture of Angola

Angola is inhabited by peoples of the Negroid race who speak Bantu languages. In the north-west of the country live the Bakongo (about 700 thousand people) and Bambundu (1,600 thousand people) peoples who are close to each other in language. The former occupy the extreme north of the Atlantic coast and the areas bordering Zaire, the latter live further south, in the river basin. Kwanzaa. The central-western part of the country from the ocean to the upper reaches of the Kunene and Kubango is inhabited by the Ovimbundu people (also about 2 million people). To the east of here are settled closely related peoples Waluchazi, Wa Luimbe and Wambundu, Umbe, sometimes united under the name Wagangela. In the northeast, in the Kasai basin and in the area of ​​the Congo-Zambezi watershed, the Wachokwe and Waluena live, and in the extreme east, in the upper reaches of the Zambezi, the Balunda live. In the southern part of the Atlantic coast and further east up to the watershed of the Kunene - Kubango rivers, the Wanya Neka are settled, in the extreme south, along the border with Namibia, the Ovagerero and Ovambo, in the southeast, in the Kubango and Kwando basins, the Wambuela and Wayeie. In some places in the south and southeast of Angola, Bushmen are found in separate small groups.

Under colonialism, there were many people of European descent in Angola (about 600 thousand). The Portuguese predominated among them; By the end of 1975, over 300 thousand people had left the country.

Despite the centuries-long active work of European missionaries - Catholic and partly (in the north) Protestant, the majority of the indigenous people of Angola still adhere to animist traditional beliefs. Christians (mostly Catholics) make up a little more than 1/3 of the country's population. Christian-African sects, combining Christian dogma with local traditions, enjoy some influence in the north of Angola.

In the last years of colonial rule, the process of stratification of the African community continued, and the proletarianization of the Angolan village grew. The local bourgeoisie also began to appear. These are coffee farmers, and partly traders and entrepreneurs. The process of social differentiation mainly affected the densely populated areas of Angola, those closest to large cities and industrial centers.

The average population density is about 5 people per 1 sq. km. The majority (% of the population) is concentrated in % of the country's territory. The most densely populated part of the central-western part of the inland plateau with its healthy, relatively cool climate - it covers (not completely) the provinces of Huambo, Biyo, Cuanza Sur, Huila and Benguela. Here the population density exceeds 15 people, in some places it reaches 30-40 people per 1 sq. km. Smaller areas with a density of more than 10 people per 1 sq. km are found in the west of the inland plateau, in the provinces of Northern Kwanza, Uizhe, Malange. There are two areas of high population density in the coastal zone - in the areas of Luanda and Lobito, which is due to the presence of the two largest cities in the country. In general, the arid coastal strip is sparsely populated (1-2 or even less than 1 person per 1 sq. km). The entire eastern half of Angola is sparsely populated.

Population growth rate in 1960-1972 were among the lowest in Africa - just 1.3% per year. But the urban population increased relatively quickly: in 15 years it more than doubled, amounting to about 10% of the population of Angola by 1975.

The 10 largest cities in the country can be distinguished, both in terms of population and the rate of its growth by the early 70s. First of all, this is Luanda - the only city with a population of 600 thousand. Since the beginning of this century, the city has begun to revive after decades of desolation caused by the ban on the slave trade. Luanda's population grew simultaneously with its economic development: between 1960 and 1970 alone it doubled. The Angolan capital has surpassed all other cities in Central Africa in terms of population, except Kinshasa. Luanda is followed by the number of inhabitants by two cities with a population of more than 60 thousand - Huambo (formerly New Lisbon) and Lobito, then Benguela (over 40 thousand people), Lubango (formerly Sada Bandeira, over 30 thousand inhabitants), Malanje (over 30 thousand), Cabinda (over 20 thousand) and Biyo (formerly SilvaPorto, about 20 thousand), whose population growth in 1960-1970 ranged from 100 to 350%, as well as Savrimo (formerly Enrique diCarvalho, 13 thousand) and Mosamedis (12 thousand).

Cities were built in the past in the image and likeness of provincial cities in Portugal. Nowadays they (at least the well-appointed neighborhoods) are characterized by modern architecture, but the appearance of the old cities still retains the features of the colonial period. The layout of cities is generally the same: on the coast - a port or pier, away from the coast - a railway station or air terminal, then the business part, administrative, as well as former aristocratic quarters and working-class suburbs.

The layout of Angolan villages is circular: in the center of the village there is a “meeting house” (most often just a large shed), around it there are residential huts, behind them there are outbuildings, behind which there are vegetable gardens and fields.

The results of the four hundred years of “civilizing” activity of the Portuguese in Angola turned out to be very pathetic: among the indigenous population, illiteracy was more than 90%. Despite the growth in the number of educational institutions and the number of students, in 1965-1970. The primary and secondary education system covered approximately 1/4 school-age children. The need for workers forced the colonialists to organize professional training for a very small number of specialists from among the local population.

The capital of the country, Luanda, has been and remains the center of cultural life in Angola. Here, in addition to numerous schools and a lyceum, there is the only university in the country.

The mass departure of Europeans from the country affected the state of the intelligentsia. The people's power took a number of emergency measures to establish universal free education in Angola and train national personnel. In particular, a law was adopted on the nationalization of the education and health care systems. Free medical care has been introduced in the country.

The material culture of the Angolans did not undergo much change during the period of Portuguese colonization. Traditional rural housing remains the same as it was centuries ago. It is mostly rectangular in shape, with a gable, sometimes pyramidal roof; in the east and south of Angola there are also round huts with a conical roof. The basis of the structure is formed by a frame of stakes, braided with rods and coated with clay. The roof is covered with grass or straw. On the walls of the huts you can often see geometric patterns painted with paints; the wooden doors are also decorated with paintings or carvings. Located behind each hut, the granary for storing grain and other supplies is essentially a large basket coated with clay, equipped with a gabled thatched roof and raised on stilts to protect the food from dampness and rodents.

The main tool in agriculture is the hoe, which is widely used to this day. What is new is the spread of household utensils, factory-produced cotton fabrics, and in many areas, and especially in cities, also clothes of European cut. The main food of the Angolans remains cassava, rice, palm products, beans, beans; Sometimes a little pork or other meat, as well as milk, is added to this diet.

The flooding of the domestic market with industrial consumer goods contributed to the decline of traditional handicraft production, but in the rural “outback” it is still quite widely represented, and applied fine arts are preserved along with it.

Artistic carving and weaving are developed in Angola. The carvings that decorate furniture are sometimes complex sculptural compositions reflecting various everyday scenes. Objects of religious cults are also carved from wood - stylized figurines of people and animals, to which magical powers are attributed. Carved wooden ritual masks are common. Even more often, palm fiber fabric is used to make masks; Resin is applied on top of it, from which the front part is sculpted and then painted with red and white clay. Made from reeds, grass, branches or straw, baskets, mats and other wickerwork have clear geometric designs. The products of local potters are also decorated with geometric patterns.

The country has developed music and dance arts. Musical and choreographic genres are closely connected not only with labor processes, but also with various traditional customs, religious and mystical ceremonies, including mourning ones. Often almost the entire population of the village participates in dancing. They dance to the accompaniment of drums, various types of xylophones, trumpets made from elephant tusks and other musical instruments.

The rich oral creativity of the Angolan people - many myths and legends, fairy tales, proverbs, sayings, poems has not yet been fully studied, but Angolan cultural figures have done a lot of work in this direction. Based on folk legends, the modern Angolan writer Castro Soromenho created the book History of the Black Earth (1960).

Written literature, mainly in Portuguese, began at the end of the 19th century. It was represented by such cultural figures as Cordeiro da Matta, Tadeu Bastos, Silverio Ferreira, Paixao Franco, Asiz Junior. The works of contemporary Angolan writers, such as António Jasinto and others, express a call to living and future generations

It is up to the Angolans to create a new man, ready to defend their national unity. And it is no coincidence that the post-war generation of Angola, inspired by reading this literature, founded the cultural movement “Let's go to discover Angola” in 1948, which educated many fighters of the national liberation movement.

A patriotic trend is developing in Angolan literature, which is characterized by themes devoted to the exposure of colonialism and imperialism, the struggle for freedom and human dignity, the revolutionary war and the labor exploits of today. A galaxy of young talented poets and writers appeared. Among the outstanding poets of modern Angola and Africa is President Agostinho Neto, whose work is permeated with the ideas of the struggle for the liberation of the people of Angola, all of Africa and humanity from the oppression of colonialism and exploitation.

Luimbe and wambundu, umbe, sometimes combined by the name wagangela. In the northeast, in the Kasai basin and in the area of ​​the Congo-Zambezi watershed, the Waluena also live, and in the extreme east, in the upper reaches of the Zambezi, -. In the southern part of the Atlantic coast and further up to the watershed of the rivers, the Wanya Neka are settled, in the extreme south, along the border with Namibia, the Ovagerero and, in the southeast, in the Cubango and Wambuela and Waieye basins. In some places in the south and southeast of Angola they are found in separate small groups.

Under colonialism, there were many people of European descent in Angola (about 600 thousand). The Portuguese predominated among them; by the end of 1975, over 300 thousand people left the country.

Despite centuries of active European missionaries - Catholic and partly (in the north) Protestant, the majority of the indigenous people of Angola still adhere to animist traditional beliefs. Christians (mostly Catholics) make up slightly more than the country's population. Christian-African sects, combining Christian dogma with local traditions, enjoy some influence in the north of Angola.

Cities were built in the past in the image and likeness of provincial cities in Portugal. Nowadays they (at least the well-appointed neighborhoods) are characterized by a modern look, but the appearance of the old cities still retains the features of the colonial period. The layout of cities is the same: on the coast - or pier, away from the coast - or, then the business part, administrative, as well as former aristocratic quarters and working-class suburbs.

The layout of Angolan villages is circular: in the center of the village there is a “gathering” (most often just a large shed), around it there are residential huts, behind them there are outbuildings, behind which there are vegetable gardens and fields.

The results of the four hundred years of “civilizing” activity of the Portuguese in Angola turned out to be very pathetic: among the indigenous population, illiteracy was more than 90%. Despite the growth in the number of educational institutions and the number of students, in 1965-1970. Approximately % of school-age children were covered by the primary and secondary education system. The need for workers forced the colonialists to organize professional training for a very small number of specialists from among the local population.

The capital of the country, Luanda, has been and remains the center of cultural life in Angola. Here, in addition to numerous schools and a lyceum, there is the only university in the country.

Artistic carving and art are developed in Angola. The carved images with which it is decorated are sometimes complex sculptural compositions reflecting various everyday scenes. Objects of religious cults are also carved from wood - stylized figurines of people and animals, to which magical powers are attributed. Carved wooden ritual masks are common. Even more often, palm fiber fabric is used to make masks; Resin is applied on top of it, from which the front part is sculpted and then painted with red and white clay. Made from reeds, grass, branches or straw, baskets, mats and other wickerwork have a clear geometric design. The products of local potters are also decorated with geometric patterns.

The country has developed music and dance arts. Musical and choreographic genres are closely connected not only with labor processes, but also with various traditional customs, religious and mystical ceremonies, including mourning ones. Often, almost the entire village takes part in the dances. They dance to the accompaniment of drums, various types of xylophones, trumpets made of elephant tusks and other musical instruments.

The rich oral history of the Angolan people - many myths and legends, fairy tales, proverbs, sayings, poems - has not yet been fully studied, but Angolan cultural figures have done a lot of work in this direction. Based on folk legends, the modern Angolan writer Castro Soromenho created the book Black Earth (1960).

Written language, mainly Portuguese, originated at the end of the 19th century. It was represented by such cultural figures as Cordeiro da Matta, Tadeu Bastos, Silverio Ferreira, Paixao Franco, Asiz Junior. In the works of modern Angolan writers, such as António Jasinto and others, a call is expressed to living and future generations of Angolans to create a new person, ready to defend their nationality. And it is no coincidence that post-war Angola, inspired by reading this literature, in 1948 founded the cultural movement “Let’s go to discover Angola,” which educated many fighters of the national liberation movement.

A patriotic trend is developing in Angolan literature, which is characterized by themes devoted to the exposure of colonialism and imperialism, the struggle for freedom and human dignity, the revolutionary war and the labor exploits of today. Young talented poets and writers appeared. Among the outstanding poets of modern Angola and Africa is President Agostinho Neto, whose work is permeated with the ideas of the struggle for the people of Angola, all of Africa and humanity from the oppression of colonialism and exploitation.

The Republic of Angola is the heart of Central Africa, washed by the Atlantic Ocean. There are all the treasures here: gas, diamonds, quartz, oil, gold, iron and copper ores, as well as tobacco, sugar and coffee. This is the richest country in Africa.

The city of Luanda, founded in 1575, is the capital of Angola. It is located in the north of the country on the Atlantic coast. In 1627, Luanda was a center for the sale of slaves. Today it houses commercial and industrial; the country's largest port, oil refining, food and textile industries.

But this is not what attracts travelers and tourists here. The pearl of Angola was and remains the people inhabiting the country. These people speak the Bantu languages ​​of Bakongo, Bam Buntu, Waluimbe, Ovagirero, Wambue-la, Wayeye and Waluchazi. Since these peoples do not have a written language, all legends, myths, tales are passed on from mouth to mouth for many centuries.

Despite the fact that there are Christians, Catholics, and Protestants in Angola, the population adheres to traditional African beliefs.

When arriving in Angola, do not waste time and money buying magnets, T-shirts and mugs with national symbols. There is something much more interesting here.

Angola - ceremonial masks and souvenirs

Angola - ceremonial masks

The first thing you should pay attention to is the ceremonial masks. This exotic souvenir is shrouded in mysticism and incredible energy power. Masks in Angola are used during rituals in honor of birth, wedding, hunting, harvest, etc. They are made from a single piece of wood using plant fibers. The masks represent human heads with elongated foreheads, wide lips and narrow eyes.

Tourists use this souvenir as a wall decoration. But we should not forget that each mask has its own purpose and you should not buy it at random. You need to ask the seller in more detail about its qualities and properties. Each mask is its own special legend.

Travelers have become very fond of the Mwana Pwewo or “young woman” mask, symbolizing female beauty, the female ancestor of the Chokwe people.

In Angola you will find many figurines made of wood, copper, ceramics, bronze, stone, etc. Each ethnic group works with its own material and has its own craft style.

Angola - wooden figurines

Figurines, like masks, also carry a certain mystical mystery. There have been cases when tourists entered a souvenir shop and left with dizziness and pale faces. Therefore, listen to your feelings and intuition. Do not take with you anything that makes you uncomfortable, even if the thing visually attracts you. A small figurine can radically change your destiny. It’s just not known in which direction.

And of course, don’t pass by jewelry stores. There is plenty of gold and diamonds here.

Photos of local residents and nature of the Republic of Angola

Angola - peoples and local tribes of the Republic of Angola

Angola on a map of Africa
(all pictures are clickable)

In this African country, the wealthy are the people who don't have stones on their roofs. Poor people have them because they don’t have the money to repair their roofs. Angola has not yet fully recovered from the long military conflict that lasted on its territory from 1975 to 2002. But the state is actively increasing the pace of oil and diamond production and mastering incoming financial investments.

The capital of Angola, Luanda, has the appearance of a completely modern city with spectacular buildings, wide avenues and well-developed public transport. Remembering its difficult past, the country is ready to build a new life and develop the economy.

Geographical position

The Republic of Angola belongs to the Central African region. Along the entire western border, the country is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. To the east is the border with Zambia. Adjacent to Angola to the north and northeast is the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The northern exclave of Cabinda, which has access to the Atlantic, is also surrounded by Congo territory. Namibia is Angola's southern neighbor.

More than 90% of the country's area is occupied by a plateau, with a height of about 1,000. The hill breaks off with a sharp ledge to a narrow coastal lowland. The country has a dense river network; all rivers belong to the basins of the largest African rivers, the Congo and Zambezi.

The equatorial regions remote from the ocean coast are located in the equatorial monsoon climate zone. They clearly distinguish two seasons of the year: dry and wet.

In central Angola, the wet season is from October to May. The amount of precipitation during this season reaches 1500 mm. Dry time is from June to September. The warmest months are September and October; during these months the average temperature on the plains reaches +29 °C, in the high areas of the plateau +22 °C. In cold June and July on the plains +22 °C, on the hills +15 °C.

Contrary to expectations, the climate in the coastal lowland is arid, tropical trade wind. The cold Bengal Ocean Current passing off the coast of Angola has a cooling and drying effect. In the extreme south of the lowlands in the Namib Desert, annual precipitation is only 25 mm per year, in the north - up to 300 mm.

The coldest month is July (+16 °C), the warmest month is March (+24 °C), and the rainy season is February-March.

Flora and fauna

The tropical forests that dominate the north of the country are replaced by savanna as you move south. In the northeast, the forests are tropical, while the rest of the “forest” territory of Angola is dominated by tropical open forests of the deciduous type. The total area of ​​forested areas occupies almost half of the country's area.

In the flat expanses close to the ocean, savannas dominate in the north, and deserts in the south.

The fauna of Angola is rich and interesting. Elephants, rhinoceroses, zebras, buffalos, and antelopes live freely in the vastness of the savannas. There is also enough space for predators: cheetahs and leopards. The forests are home to many monkeys and birds. The national parks and reserves of Angola have excellent living conditions for animals.

State structure

Angola Map

Angola is a presidential republic. The head of state, government and Commander-in-Chief of the country's Armed Forces is the president. He is elected by popular vote for a 5-year term and is eligible for re-election only for a 2-year term.

The highest legislative body is the National Assembly, which meets in session twice a year. There are more than 120 political parties in Angola.

The country's territory is divided into 18 administrative provinces. The capital of Angola and its largest city is Luanda.

Population

Almost the entire population of the country belongs to three black ethnic groups. Only 2% of the inhabitants are mulatto (descendants of marriages between Africans and Europeans) and only 1% are white, mainly Portuguese, heirs of former colonialists.

To this day, the official language of communication is Portuguese. But the population often uses African dialects in everyday life; the Bantu language is the most popular. The vast majority of Angolan residents are Catholic Christians.

In sparsely populated areas of the country live tribes living in Stone Age conditions. These unique groups of people attract various ethnic expeditions here to study the life of people who have preserved their way of life since prehistoric times.

The population growth in the country is due to the high birth rate; there are more than 6 births for every woman of childbearing age. But child mortality is still very high in Angola, especially many children die in the first year of life. According to this sad indicator, the country ranks 1st in the world.

The average life expectancy of Angolans is no more than 52 years. The state is actively fighting diseases and epidemics and preventing the spread of HIV infection (in Angola, more than 2% of the population is infected with this terrible virus).

The low standard of living of the population and wars do not contribute to the rapid establishment of a prosperous life for twenty million people in the country. The percentage of migration is high; Angolans are looking for a better life outside their homeland.

Economy

The Angolan economy is one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. GDP growth rates are achieved mainly through oil production. Old oil refineries are being reconstructed and new ones are being built. Funds are allocated for this from investments coming into the country.

Diamonds, marble, granite, and building materials are mined in Angola. Deposits of iron and manganese ores, bauxite, phosphorites, and uranium are being revived. The food and light industries are increasing their pace.

80% of the country's total working population works in agriculture. Bananas are grown in Angola and then sent to our store shelves. A good harvest of coffee, cotton, tobacco, corn, and vegetables is being harvested. Angolans are also involved in livestock breeding.

The part of the Atlantic coast where the modern Angola, was captured by Portugal in 1482. For 400 years the country became a Portuguese colony. Only in 1975 did the state gain independence after a liberation war that lasted more than 15 years.

But then Angola again plunged into the abyss of civil war for 27 years. Since 2002, the country has been living a peaceful life and building its future.

Attractions

There are many interesting places in Angola. But the main attraction and pride of the people of the country is its unique nature. The picturesque ocean coast, the mysterious Namib Desert, spacious savannahs and dense forests captivate with their beauty and pristine nature.

There is a lot to see in the capital of Angola, Luanda. This is the center of the country's cultural life. There are many museums, libraries, and amazingly beautiful churches. San Miguel is famous for its castles and medieval buildings. In the city of Tombwa, together with the fishermen, you can go to the ocean for exciting fishing.

Every year the flow of tourists to this exotic and very beautiful African country increases.

ANGOLA
Republic of Angola, a state in southwestern Africa. It borders on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the north and northeast, Zambia in the southeast, and Namibia in the south. From the west it is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The length of the coastline is approx. 1600 km. The province of Cabinda, located on the Atlantic coast north of the mouth of the Congo River, is separated from the main territory of the country by a small strip of DRC territory. The area of ​​the country is 1246.7 thousand square meters. km. Population 10.9 million people. In the mid-1990s, the country's largest city, the capital Luanda, was home to more than 2 million people. The name Angola comes from "ngola" - the hereditary title of the rulers of the medieval state of Ndongo, located in the north of modern Angola. From the end of the 19th century. Angola was a colony of Portugal and gained independence in 1975.

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NATURE
Surface structure. Most of the territory of Angola is occupied by a plateau with heights of more than 1000 m. Its most elevated part, the Bie massif, in some places has heights of more than 2000 m. The highest mountain in the country, Moco (2620 m), is also located there. In the west, the plateau ends with steep ledges and gives way to a strip of coastal plains ranging from 50 to 160 km wide. In the northern, northeastern and southeastern directions the plateau decreases. Most of the rivers belong to the Congo and Zambezi basins. Two large rivers - Kwanza and Kunene, originating in the Bie massif, as well as many small ones flow into the Atlantic Ocean. The rivers are navigable mainly in the lower reaches, since there are many rapids and waterfalls at the contact of the plateau and the coastal plain. On the rivers Kwanza with a length of more than 1000 km and Kunene - approx. 950 km only the lower 200 km are navigable. The highest (100 m) waterfall is Duqui di Braganza on the Lucala River (a tributary of the Kwanza). Angola's rivers are an important source of electricity.
The climate in the interior of the country is equatorial monsoon. Two seasons are clearly distinguished - wet and dry. The wet season is from October to May (interrupted by a short dry interval in January and February). During this period, an average of 1300-1500 mm of precipitation falls. The dry period lasts from June to September inclusive. The warmest months of the year are September-October (the average monthly temperature in the higher parts of the plateau is 21-22 ° C, and in the lower parts of the slopes - 24-29 ° C), the coldest are June-July (the average temperature is 15 ° C and 22° C).
The climate on the coastal plain is tropical, trade wind, and arid. There, only 300 mm of precipitation falls annually in Luanda, 230 mm in Lobito and 25 mm in the far south in Namibe. The warmest month is March (average temperature 24-26 ° C), the coldest is July (average temperature 16-20 ° C. Precipitation falls mainly in February-March. Coastal areas experience the cooling influence of the Benguela Current.
Vegetation and fauna. Almost 40% of Angola's territory is occupied by forests and woodlands. The densest tropical rainforests are concentrated in the northwest, north of the river. Kwanzaa - mainly along the river valleys of the Congo Basin and in the province of Cabinda. In the interior, dry deciduous tropical woodlands are common, interspersed with extensive grass savannas. On the sea coast there are grassy and shrubby savannas, palm trees grow in abundance. South of Luanda their groves become thinner, and south of Benguela the area becomes increasingly deserted. Grasslands are especially characteristic of the southern and eastern regions. Among the poor vegetation cover of the Namib Desert in the extreme south of the country there is a unique xerophytic dwarf tree, Welwitchia mirabilis.
The fauna of Angola is very rich. Large mammals include elephants, lions, leopards, zebras, antelopes and monkeys. However, humans have caused serious damage to their populations. For example, the once large population of African elephants in southeastern Angola has declined by at least half since 1980 due to poaching of animals for the purpose of exporting ivory. The numbers of black rhinoceros, cheetah and leopard have decreased significantly. The coastal waters are rich in marine life, including whales, turtles and shellfish, not to mention huge fisheries resources. Overfishing has become a serious problem in recent years. Several national parks have been created to protect wildlife.
POPULATION AND SOCIETY
Population. Modern demographic statistics for Angola are based on estimates since the last census was carried out in 1970. The civil war resulted not only in the death of people during the fighting and from starvation, but also in mass emigration. In 1997, the country had a population of approx. 10.9 million people. High birth rates (3.06% per year in 1997) and fertility rates (6.27%) ensure rapid population growth despite one of the world's highest under-five mortality rates. The average population density is 8.8 people per 1 sq. km. The eastern and southern regions of the country, as well as the highest parts of the internal plateau, are especially sparsely populated.
Most Portuguese settlers arrived in Angola after World War II. In 1940, only 44 thousand Europeans lived there, in 1960 - 172 thousand, and in 1974 - approx. 330 thousand. After the declaration of independence of Angola, 90% of the Portuguese left the country. During the War of Independence (1961-1975), several hundred thousand Africans fled to neighboring countries, mainly Congo (Zaire). Although many later returned to their homeland, many people remained in a foreign land. A new wave of refugees left Angola in the 1980s after the civil war resumed. However, the main migration flows after the declaration of independence were associated with internal migration, mass relocation of people to cities and their forced movements within rural areas, since many areas in the war zone changed hands more than once. By the end of 1987, approximately 2 million people (about 20%) left their homes. Between 1975 and 1985, Luanda's population tripled to approximately 1.3 million people. In other cities, the population increased even faster.
During the brief peace of 1992-1994, many Angolans returned to their homes, but with the resumption of civil war even more people flocked to the overcrowded cities. At the end of 1998, the number of displaced people was at least 1.4 million, and the population of Luanda was 2.5 million.
Ethnic roots and languages ​​of the peoples of Angola. The people of Angola, who are of African descent, speak Bantu languages. Angolans of European and mixed descent usually use Portuguese as their primary language. It is also spoken by a significant portion of Africans living in cities. The main differences between African ethnic groups are determined by linguistic principles. Approximately 38% of the African population is made up of the Ovimbundu people, who speak the Umbundu language. Ovimbundu are concentrated in the central, most elevated part of the plateau (mainly in the provinces of Southern Kwanza, Benguela, Huambo). The Ambundu (Mbundu), who speak the Kimbundu language, make up approximately 23% of Angola's Africans and live in the provinces of Luanda, Kwanza Norte, and Malanje. The Bakongo, or Kongo (approx. 14% of the African population), speak the Kikongo language. Small ethnic groups include the Lunda and Chokwe living in the east of the country, and the Kuanyama in the south. Inter-ethnic marriages, internal migration processes and the fact that many Africans are fluent in two, three or even more languages ​​mean that ethnic differences rarely coincide with the European stereotype of fixed “tribal” boundaries. Perhaps equally important in determining these differences are factors such as their level of Portuguese language proficiency, residence in rural areas or urban centers, place of origin, adherence to ancestral traditions, and the connection of their work activities with a traditional economy or the modern sector of the economy. The process of interpenetration of Portuguese and African cultures most dynamically occurs in the cities of Luanda and Benguela and in places where the Quimbundu-speaking population is concentrated in the province of Luanda.
Confessional composition. According to rough estimates, approx. 38% of Angolans are Catholics, 15% are Protestants, the rest adhere to traditional local beliefs. The Protestant Church is represented in Angola by Baptists, Methodists and Congregationalists. During the period of Portuguese rule, Catholicism was the state religion, and therefore many identified it with colonialism. After independence, tensions arose between the country's Marxist leadership and the Roman Catholic Church.
Protestant churches, usually concentrated in certain areas, conducted services and sermons in local African languages. As a result, certain Protestant missions became associated with specific regions and ethnic groups, which subsequently caused the fragmentation of the national liberation movement. American Methodist missionaries operated primarily in Kimbundu-speaking areas, British Baptists among Kikong-speaking populations, and American and Canadian Congregationalists among Umbundu-speaking populations.
Traditional society. The main occupation of the African population of Angola is agriculture. The exception is the peoples inhabiting the drier southern regions, who combine pastoralism and agriculture. Almost all Africans in Angola speak Bantu languages ​​and are heirs to the cultural traditions of the peoples of this language family. The Kikongo- and Kimbundu-speaking populations of the northwestern and coastal regions were the earliest to come into contact with Portuguese culture. The Bakongo's acquaintance with Christians dates back to the 16th century, in the same century the Portuguese founded the city of Luanda in the area inhabited by Quimbundu-speaking tribes. The traditional culture of the Kimbundu-speaking ethnic groups is most similar to the culture of the related peoples of Central Africa, as well as the population of Cabinda and the northeastern provinces of Lunda North and South. Chokwe, who lived in the northeast, in the 19th century. They were engaged in hunting and trading and gradually penetrated into other areas of the country along trade routes. The Cuanyama, distributed in the far south of Angola, are an Ovambo ethnographic group and related to the peoples of northern Namibia; their traditional occupation is cattle breeding. The Nyaneka and Khumbe, who live in the vicinity of the city of Lubango in the southwest of the country and are known for their adherence to traditional culture, are engaged in pastoralism and agriculture. The largest Ovimbundu ethnic group, living on the most fertile lands in the central provinces, provided food for the urban population during Portuguese rule, and some of their products were even exported. In addition, the Ovimbundu were engaged in trade. Traditionally, areas with sufficient moisture and favorable conditions for agriculture were most densely populated.
During the colonial period, coastal cities and provincial capitals were the most attractive for settlement. Colonial administration, the white population, trade and public institutions were concentrated in Luanda. The key role of the capital and other major cities became even stronger after the country gained independence. The most economically developed areas gravitate towards the main sub-latitudinal railway lines. The port cities of Lobito and Benguela are connected to the copper belt of Central Africa by a railway crossing the central part of the plateau. The second railway runs from Namibe to Lubango and Menongue through the southern part of the plateau. The capital Luanda is connected by rail to the mining region in the vicinity of Malanje. The most significant economic regions of Angola are: Northern with coffee plantations, Cabinda with oil fields and North-East with large diamond deposits.
Cities. The largest cities are Luanda, Huambo (formerly New Lisbon), Lobito, Benguela, Lubango (formerly Sa da Bandeira), Malanje, Quito and Namibe. The capital of Angola, Luanda, is the country's largest port city, an administrative, business and financial center. On the territory of the most significant seaport of Lobito there is a terminal of the Benguela railway, which brings mineral raw materials from the province of Shaba (DRC). Namibe and Benguela are the fishing centers, and Huambo, Malanje, Lubango and Quito are the administrative, agricultural and transport centers of the country's interior.
POLITICAL SYSTEM
Although the Portuguese colonized Angola at the end of the 15th century, its borders were determined only at the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, at which Western European colonial powers divided the territory of Africa among themselves. In 1951 Angola became an overseas province of Portugal. The armed struggle of the people of Angola against Portuguese colonialism began in 1961. The main forces of the national liberation movement were concentrated in three military-political organizations: the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA, created in 1956), the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA, created in 1962 ) and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA, created in 1966). The Portuguese were determined to maintain their dominance in this part of Africa and launched a ruthless fight against the rebels. As a result of the military coup of 1974, a new government came to power in Portugal, which decided to end the war in Angola and grant it independence. After gaining independence, the MPLA proclaimed the creation of the People's Republic of Angola and adopted Marxism-Leninism as its state ideology. The FNLA and UNITA fought against the MPLA, but by 1979, despite the announcement of the creation of united armed forces of both groups, the FNLA had effectively ceased to exist. Since then, the struggle for power has been between the MPLA and UNITA. In 1990, the MPLA announced its renunciation of Marxism and agreed to a transition to a multi-party system and a market economy. Elections were held in 1992. Currently, Angola is a state with a multi-party system of government while maintaining a strong presidential power.
In territorial and administrative terms, the country is divided into 18 provinces, headed by an appointed governor and local legislature. Provinces are divided into councils, communes, districts, districts and villages.
Angola is a member of the UN, the Organization of African Unity and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Political parties. The MPLA spoke on behalf of all Angolans, but enjoyed the greatest support among the Quimbundu-speaking population of the province of Luanda. Since its activities were prohibited, the movement’s fighters operated from bases located in neighboring countries (Zaire, etc.). The main support of the FNLA created by Holden Roberto was the Kikongo-speaking population of the northern regions of the country. UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi relied on the Umbundu-speaking population. On the eve of the 1992 elections, other small parties emerged in the country, but none of them enjoyed widespread popular support.
See below
ANGOLA. ECONOMY
ANGOLA. STORY
LITERATURE

Khazanov A.M. Angola is a republic born of struggle. M., 1976 Khazanov A.M., Pritvorov A.V. Angola. M., 1979

Collier's Encyclopedia. - Open Society. 2000 .

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People's Republic of Angola, state in 3. Africa. Modern The name Angola is taken from the name of the state that existed on its territory in the 15th-17th centuries, Ndongo or, according to the title of its supreme ruler, Ngola. Portugal. conquerors who invaded... Geographical encyclopedia

Angola- Angola. Waterfall on the river Kwanzaa. ANGOLA (Republic of Angola), a state in South West Africa, is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. Area 1246.7 thousand km2. Population 10.6 million people Ovimbundu, Ambundu, Kongo, etc. The official language is Portuguese.… … Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

- (Republic of Angola), a state in South-West Africa, washed by the Atlantic Ocean. Area 1246.7 thousand km2. Population 10.6 million people Ovimbundu, Ambundu, Congo, etc. The official language is Portuguese. Adheres to traditional beliefs... ... Modern encyclopedia