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Angola Culture

The Angola culture is tied to the ancient kingdom of Congo. The largest groups are the Ovimbundu cultural group that speak umbundu. This group mostly live in the central and southern areas the country. This language is closer to the Namibia oshiwambo and rukavango languages.

These similarities may stem from the bantu migration times. This could also be do to the proximity of this tribes villages. Both groups are located on both sides of the Namibia-Angola border and can move freely within 60 kilometres between the two countries.

The other major cultural groups are the Mbundu who are concentrated in the capital, Luanda and in the central and northern areas and speak Kimbundu.

The Bakongo speak variants of the kikongo language and live in the north, spanning the borders with Congo and the Congo Republic.

The Lunda, Chokwe and Nganguela cultural groups make up another important part of the tribes, with a minority group of the mesticos (potuguese-africans) who live in cities, especially Luanda. Potuguese is the official language in Angola.

Although most Angolans are Roman Catholics, there are some groups who practice traditional religions only. While some combine christianity with their traditional believes and customs. Especially during festivities and celebrations.

The traditional arts of Angola plays an important role in cultural rituals marking occasions such as birth, death, childhood to adulthood, harvest and hunting seasons.

As with the rest of Africa, the cultural festivities are accompanied with music and storytelling.

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