Luanda: The Minister of Culture Filipe Zau announced on Thursday in Luanda that the Angolan musical and dance genre 'Semba' may be recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, possibly in 2026.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the minister spoke to the press at the conclusion of the colloquium "50 years of Political Autonomy in Angola," revealing that work is currently underway to classify styles. He assured that the National Institute of Cultural Heritage is collaborating with national and international experts to prepare the necessary technical dossier. "It is possible that by 2026, if all goes well, Semba will be recognized as heritage," he stated.
Filipe Zau highlighted Semba as a symbol of Angolan identity and collective self-esteem, noting that efforts are ongoing in the judiciary of influence and diplomatic contacts with other countries. He recalled that Angola already has three properties inscribed on the UNESCO list, which include the rock engravings of Tchitundu-Hulu in Namibe, the Kwanza Corridor, and Cuito Cuanavale.
Regarding Cuito Cuanavale, he explained that an international project is underway to produce a historical film about the battle, featuring producers from South Africa, Angola, Namibia, Cuba, and Russia. The work aims to emphasize the strategic role of the battle in the liberation of Southern Africa and Nelson Mandela.
He mentioned that the project will enhance the symbolic value of Cuito Cuanavale and aid in its candidacy as a World Heritage Site. The minister also discussed the application of the "Samacaca" fabric as another cultural project, although he acknowledged challenges in its industrialization and preservation as material heritage.
In the realm of identity and cultural appreciation, he stressed the importance of promoting what he termed the "hidden curriculum," which includes non-formal knowledge and self-knowledge, both in and out of schools, as tools to strengthen self-esteem and awareness.
