Secretaria de Relações Internacionais | Office of International Relations

Between 31 October and 2 December, the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) hosts the event 48 anos de Independência de Angola – Quais caminhos e perspectivas seguir? [48 years of Independence of Angola – What paths and perspectives to follow?].

Through seminars, sports activities and celebrations, the event will address cultural, linguistic and historical issues related to Angola. The activities will take place at UFSC and also at the Beatriz de Souza Brito School, at Crescêncio Francisco Mariano Lane, and online on Instagram at @africa.sensation.

King Tchongolola Tchongonga-Ekuikui VI.

Tuesday, 31 October, the event’s opening will receive the illustrious Angolan King Tchongolola Tchongonga-Ekuikui VI, who is considered the monarch of the largest ethnic group in Angola, the Ovimbundu. The event will be held at 7:30 pm in the School of Philosophy and Human Sciences (CFH) Auditorium. The director of the Kadila Institute and representatives from the Embassy of Angola in Brazil, the Consulate General of Angola in Brazil and the Office of International Relations (SINTER) at UFSC will be present.

King Tchongolola Tchongonga-Ekuikui VI is 39 years old and is the 37th sovereign of the subnational kingdom of Bailundo, located in the central region of Angola. The kingdom of Bailundo was a pre-colonial African state of the Ovimbundu people and emerged in the Central Plateau of Angola in the mid-1700s. The region had both political and economic authority, covering the provinces of Huambo, Benguela, Kwanza Sul, Bié and a part of Huíla. King Ekuikui VI has a degree in Law and speaks four languages: one of which is Umbundu, the official language of the Kingdom of Mbailundo. The king is also fluent in French, Portuguese and English.

Visit

King Ekuikui VI will be in Santa Catarina from 30 October to 2 November, where he will participate in cultural events and meet with representatives of the black movement and civil society organizations to discuss initiatives to promote African culture in Brazil. The visit also seeks to contribute to studies on African culture, which is present in various forms in Brazilian society, through Angolan rhythms, traditions and culture. In addition to Santa Catarina, the delegation will pass through the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Bahia.

The event 48 anos de independência de Angola – Quais caminhos e perspectivas seguir? is promoted by the Association of Angolans in Florianópolis (ASSAF) and the Kadila Institute. At UFSC, it has the support of the Office of Culture, Arts and Sports (SeCArtE) and the Office of International Relations (SINTER).

Text: SeCArtE – with information from Nataniel Cassoma