Luanda: Minister of Culture Filipe Zau reaffirmed on Wednesday, in Cazombo (Eastern Moxico), the Angolan government's commitment to strengthening cultural diplomacy in order to build bridges of cooperation and boost creative industries and artistic exchange. Speaking to the press at the conclusion of the 12th edition of the Luvale "Mize" Traditional Festival, he highlighted culture as one of the country's key calling cards, aiming to promote a distinctive image that helps clarify political objectives and the nation's international standing.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the government's efforts to strengthen diplomacy include valuing, promoting, and preserving cultural heritage-work being carried out with the support of international institutions such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). In this regard, a ministry delegation is currently in South Korea to address global heritage matters and work with UNESCO toward having Semba and Tchitundo-Hulo recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Tchitundo-Hulo, located in Namibe province, is a significant rock art complex considered one of the most important testaments to the earliest cultural and artistic expressions within Angolan territory. Semba, meanwhile, is recognized as one of the most emblematic expressions of Angolan music, dance, and cultural identity.
It was noted that in April 2024, the Ministry officially designated Kizomba and Tchianda as National Intangible Cultural Heritage; the next step will be to seek their inscription with UNESCO to prevent cultural appropriation and to preserve these musical and dance genres. Angola currently boasts the city of Mbanza Kongo as a World Cultural Heritage site and SONA (symbolic sand drawings) as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Furthermore, the Luvale Traditional Festival was highlighted as a vital tool for preserving the folklore, intangible heritage, and language of the Luvale people through the intergenerational transmission of oral traditions. It was stated that traditional authorities must continue to play their role in preserving the customs and traditions of the various peoples that make up Angola's cultural mosaic, fostering a strong sense of belonging.
To this end, a call was made for other provinces to follow the example of Moxico Leste and other regions that hold annual traditional festivals to showcase Angola's cultural potential to the world. National and foreign entrepreneurs were encouraged to invest in the hospitality and dining sectors in Moxico Leste, ensuring that tourists and researchers interested in Luvale culture have access to adequate accommodation and dining facilities.
The "MIZE" Luvale Traditional Festival is one of the largest cultural events in Southern Africa, celebrating the history, rituals, and identity of a people distributed across Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
