M’banza Kongo Celebrates Second Day of Its Anniversary

22 July 2011

M’banza Kongo — The inhabitants of the northern Zaire Province celebrated on Thursday the second day of the tenth edition of the M’banza Kongo City festivity, whose opening ceremony was chaired by the administrator of this district, Ângelo dos Passos.

ANGOP has learnt that the celebrations will go up to 25 July.

The inaugural ceremony, which was attended by the provincial governor, Pedro Sebastião, started with a traditional ritual at a place dubbed “Sunguila”, close to the museum of the Kingo Kings.

At the spot it was collected a traditional drink named Nsamba in kikongo language, which is extracted from the palm tree, that was then used in another traditional ceremony at the tombs of the kings, located near the Kulumbimbi, name given to the first Sea Cathedral of the Catholic Church built in sub-Sahara Africa, aimed at asking blessings from the ancestors for harmony during the festivity.

The day was also marked by the performance of the traditional dance group Nzola and the choral of the Baptist Evangelic church in Angola.

The participants also witnessed the demonstration of two traditional games, namely ngongo-a-anzadi e vatelamene Nkai.

After that there was an interventions from the head of the chieftains, Afonso Mendes, who wished happy celebration to all and appealed for a dignifying behaviour throughout the event.

On his turn, the district administrator, Ângelo dos Passos, explained the origin of the 25 July date, saying that it symbolises the epoch in which king Nimi-a-Lukeni(1506) would hold a meeting with the representatives of other kingdoms under his control, during which there was dismissal from posts and new appointments, the presentation of reports and information, as well as the giving of instructions.

According to him, since its foundation, the former capital city of the Kongo Kingdom was always the chief administrative centre, in which the main decisions were taken.

The celebrations include sports, cultural and academic activities, and are taking place under the motto “M’banza Kongo, with unity and work, let us build the future”.

AllAfrica – All the Time