Colors of Luanda - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

For hundreds of years, the territory of present-day Luanda was inhabited by various African tribes. Modern townspeople are the direct descendants of indigenous people. The preservation of historical traditions and culture is an important part of life for them. Today, their traditional customs and habits are embodied in many spheres of life. They continue to cook traditional dishes according to centuries-old recipes, practice farming and fishing, also paying great attention to craft traditions.

All the holidays are accompanied by beautiful music and dance performances. Luanda residents consider Semba to be their main national dance. This dance genre is often called the "music of the sea" and dates back hundreds of years. The ancient dance was once performed during important religious rituals and holidays, but today it is an obligatory part of all local festivals and celebrations. Some experts believe that this distinctive dance was the forerunner of the world-famous Latin American samba.

Local traditional music is also pretty special. Drums remain one of the favorite musical instruments here. During musical performances and solemn processions, you can see musicians with drums of various shapes and sizes. Another unusual musical instrument is marimba. This percussion instrument looks a bit like a classic xylophone, but the sound is completely different. Until recently, it was only possible to watch enchanting performances of local musicians and dancers on major holidays. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In recent years, Luanda has become a quite popular tourist city, so performances devoted to national culture are often held here even on ordinary days. Many tourists prefer to go to small villages and settlements located in the vicinity of the city. This way of exploring the traditional culture of indigenous people is considered the best. In the villages, you can visit interesting craft workshops, taste traditional dishes of locals, and watch a lot of enchanting performances.

Within the city, you can also find interesting craft workshops that are often combined with souvenir shops. Luanda is home to many outstanding woodcarvers who create incredibly beautiful figurines and home decorations. It is noteworthy that local people have wooden figures of people and animals at home too. They believe that such talismans are endowed with magical powers. Unusual figurines can be seen on the roofs of some houses, they often adorn entrance doors and walls.

Another vivid attribute of the rich ritual traditions of the region is colorful masks. Once they were used for religious rituals, but later became one of the most common talismans for local people. Luanda’s culture is not deprived of beautiful modern holidays. Since 2009, the traditional Jazz Festival has been held in the city. It is attended by performers and music lovers from around the world. Both big-name guests and novice musicians always participate in the music festival. Most of the concerts within the framework of the festival are free of charge and take place in the open air. Acquaintance with the culture and traditions of the Angolan capital is sure to make your vacation unforgettable.