Language/Portuguese/Culture/Angola

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Portuguese Culture → Unit 5: Portuguese-Speaking Countries and Cultures → Angola

As a Portuguese language teacher with 20 years of experience, I am excited to introduce you to our lesson today about Angola, a Portuguese-speaking country in Africa.

Angola is a country with a rich cultural heritage, shaped by its history, geography, and people. Located on the southwestern coast of Africa, Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975 after a long period of colonization. Since then, the country has experienced many changes and challenges, but its people have always maintained a strong sense of identity and cultural pride.

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With the completion of this lesson, consider investigating these related pages: Portugal & Música Popular Brasileira.

Angola: Language and Literature

Portuguese is the official language of Angola and is spoken by the majority of the population. However, the country is also home to many indigenous languages, including Kikongo, Chokwe, and Umbundu, which are still widely used. Portuguese literature has been an important part of Angolan culture since the 19th century and has produced many celebrated writers, such as Luandino Viera, Pepetela, and Jose Eduardo Agualusa.

Here are a few vocabulary words in Portuguese that you may find useful:

Portuguese	Pronunciation	English
Olá	oh-LAH	Hello
Adeus	ah-DAY-oosh	Goodbye
Obrigado/a	oh-bree-GAH-doo/dah	Thank you
Sim	seem	Yes
Não	now	No
Água	AH-gwah	Water
Comida	koh-MEE-dah	Food

Music and Dance

Angola has a rich musical tradition, blending African rhythms and melodies with Portuguese influences. One of the most popular genres of music in Angola is kizomba, a slow, romantic style of dance music that has become popular around the world. Other popular genres include semba, kuduro, and zouk. Traditional dances in Angola include the kizomba, kuduro, and samba. The country is also known for its vibrant street performances by musicians and dancers, especially in the capital city of Luanda.

Cuisine

Angolan cuisine is a mix of African, Portuguese, and Brazilian influences, with seafood and starchy foods playing a major role in many dishes. One of the most popular dishes is Moamba de Galinha, a spicy chicken stew served with rice and beans. Other popular dishes include Calulu, a fish stew made with okra and palm oil, and Moqueca, a spicy seafood stew. Some other popular Angolan dishes include:

Muamba de Boloa: chicken, peanuts, onions, garlic, okra, and palm oil stew
Haréssa: dried and crushed peri-peri peppers with garlic, lemon, oil, and salt
Caril de Galinha: Chicken curry with coconut milk and spices
Pirão: cassava flour porridge, typically served with fish or meat

Festivals and Celebrations

Angolan culture is rich in tradition and celebrations, many of which have religious and historical significance. Some of the major festivals and celebrations in Angola include:

Carnival: a four-day festival featuring colorful parades and street parties, held in the capital city of Luanda in February or March.
Independence Day: celebrated on November 11th every year to commemorate the country's independence from Portugal in 1975.
All Saints Day: a religious holiday celebrated on November 1st, when families gather to clean the graves of their loved ones and place flowers and candles on them.
Festas de São João: an annual festival honoring Saint John the Baptist, featuring bonfires, street parties, and traditional dances.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Angola is a fascinating country with a rich cultural identity and diverse population. From its language and literature to its music, cuisine, and festivals, Angola has much to offer those interested in discovering the cultural heritage of the Portuguese-speaking world. I hope you have enjoyed learning about Angola and its culture as much as I have enjoyed teaching you.

Sources

Congratulations on finishing this lesson! Explore these related pages to keep learning: Mozambique Timeline & Brazil.

Table of Contents - Portuguese Course - 0 to A1

Course Presentation

Unit 1: Greetings and Basic Phrases

Unit 2: Verbs - Present Tense

Unit 3: Family and Descriptions

Unit 4: Verbs - Future and Conditional Tenses

Unit 5: Portuguese-Speaking Countries and Cultures

Unit 6: Food and Drink

Unit 7: Verbs - Past Tense

Unit 8: Travel and Transportation

Unit 9: Indefinite Pronouns and Prepositions

Unit 10: Health and Emergencies

Videos

Portuguese in Angola (Pronunciation, slang, etc.) - YouTube

Angolan Portuguese VS Portuguese from Portugal [EN & PT ...

Portuguese back to Angola - Straight through Africa - YouTube

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