Two hitches have passed since my last blog update. Rubbish I know. I always intend to do regular blogs but at home I just never seem to have the time and out here at work the internet is too bloody unreliable and it takes forever to upload anything. Crap excuses, sorry.
Anyway………..
A friend of mine out here sent me a couple of interesting rituals/events which I thought I would share on here:
CASA DA TINTA
Locally Known as “ Tchicumbi”. It is a traditional ceremony in Cabinda Province designed to allow a girl in her teens to start dating.
This usually takes place in winter and all the arrangements are made without letting the girl know about them. She is normally taken out for a trip or walk along with a few family members, friends or fellows to a place far away for a couple of days, sometimes longer. On her way back home, typically on a Saturday, she is caught by the escort and a powder made of a tree called tukula is thrown onto the girl`s face. At the same time she is taken to an accommodation specially arranged for her.
The powder is so burning that the girl starts crying soon after it touches her face. Once in the accommodation, women begin to sing traditional songs while at the yard family members and guests can enjoy songs and watch mayeye dancers ( mayeye is a traditional group of players, singers and dancers ).
The party usually takes place all night long: attendants have plenty of food and beverages and can dance to traditional and modern music.
Originally the girl must have her hair entirely cut and spend one month in the accommodation where she is provided with everything she needs like food, drinks, outfits, etc. During this period she receives counselling and instructions about marriage, the wedding, how to be a good housewife, etc.
After spending one month in the accommodation she becomes much more beautiful and people really get impressed with her beauty.
Now she is no longer a girl; she has become a woman.
LUANDA ISLAND PARTY
This is a traditional party that is usually held in summer on Luanda Island. It is designed to pay a tribute to the spirits of the sea (mermaids), in order for the sea to be tide in and to prevent the Island from becoming flooded, and on the other hand to increase the capture of fish by fishermen.
During the ceremony, several things are thrown into the sea such as bottles of beers, wine and certain amounts of money.
Local authorities, Islanders and guests attend a huge party where local food, foreign dishes and drinks are enjoyed as well as traditional and modern music.
In some littoral Provinces of Angola similar ceremonies take place with the same purpose.
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