Luanda: The vibrant city of Luanda is set to witness an exciting showdown as 13 groups take to the streets of the New Boulevard for the Carnival 2026 parade, vying for the prestigious Category A prizes. Dominated by the Semba Style, this annual event celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Luanda Province, showcasing traditional music and dance styles such as Semba, Kazukuta, and Cabecinha. According to Angola Press News Agency, the parade features representatives from various municipalities, each highlighting unique aspects of Luanda's folklore. The jury faces the challenging task of evaluating the groups based on choreography, song, parade style, storytelling, and costumes. The results of this keenly contested event will be announced on Wednesday, with the five lowest-ranked groups facing relegation to Category B, while the top groups from Category B will earn promotion to the main category for the next season. Unio Mundo da Ilha from Ingombota Municipality holds the record with 14 titles over the carniv al's 45 editions. The current champion is Unio Recreativo do Kilamba from Rangel Municipality. The parade order for this year includes groups such as Unio Etu Mudietu from Sambizanga and Unio Jovens da Cacimba from Maianga, among others, each bringing their unique flair to the competition. This year's event, themed 'Carnival, our Identity in Cultural Valorization,' also featured parades in Category B and C (children) over the weekend, with results also expected on Wednesday.
