August 18, 2011

Thursday, August 25 Presentation: The Development of Luanda’s Bay5

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The future marginal.

What’s happening to ‘The Marginal’?  The downtown main street that runs along the bay has always been the favourite destination for families on a Sunday stroll or joggers exercising while watching the sun set. Now piles of dredged sand and wire fences have taken over Luanda’s favourite promenade.

The Angola Field Group invites you to a presentation on The Development of Luanda’s Bay, at the Viking Club on August 25 at 8:00 PM with Kwame Gomes, a Project Manager with Baía de Luanda Project, “Projecto de Requalificação e Reordenamento Urbano da Zona Marginal”.

He will talk about the evolution of the project, the dredging, the sewage system, and the new squares and green spaces which will be developed. Kwame, who received his MSc. in Management at Universidade Nova de Lisboa in 2007, will answer all your questions about the future of the Marginal and Luanda’s waterfront.

The road system below the Forteleza will look like this when completed.


 

August 13, 2011

Paleo Angola Project event, Sunday August 14

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Angolatitan adamastor, a new specis of sauropod, is one of the few occurences of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa in the late Cretaceous.

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, in collaboration with the Vida Foundation and LS Filmes, is honored to invite the Angola Field Group for the presentation of the PALEOANGOLA PROJECT, as well as the first dinosaur to be discovered in Angola, Angolatitan, to be held on Sunday, August 14th, 2011, at 10:00, at the Escola Nacional da Administração (ENAD), Futungo Road, Luanda. Confirmation to Kaluga Lima.

 

Assembling a full scale model of the Angolatitan, Angola's first dinosaur discovered in 2005, 70 km north of Luanda. This 13 meter long herbivore lived about 90 million years ago.

 ***Added on August 23: two articles in Portuguese from the Jornal de Angola newspaper featuring coverage of the events. Click on the image below and it will appear full size on a new browser window.


 

July 22, 2011

Thursday, July 28 Film Presentation: A Trip Down Memory Lane

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Indigenous Angolan soldiers on parade.

A home in Luanda, no high walls!


Herds of buffalo and elephants roaming Quiçama Park? Cotton mills and coffee roasteries? Bull fights in Luanda? And no traffic jams in Luanda?  The Angola Field Group presents “A Trip down Memory Lane”, at the Viking Club, Thursday July 28 at 8 pm.

The Customs office indowntown Luanda.

The circle in Cruxeiro with a cross in the middle which was removed during Communist era.

Denis Sanche and Kelse Alexander, Angola Field Group team members will introduce and show a film composed of footage shot in Angola mostly in the 60’s and 70’s, spliced together by  somebody taking a nostalgic look at the country he left behind. This is not a documentary but the film gives an idea of what Angola and especially Luanda, was like during colonial times. The narration is in Portuguese and the sound track features Raúl Endipwo, a member of Duo Ouro Negro, a well known Angolan band in the 1970s.  The video shows clips from all the major Angolan centres including Huambo, Cabinda, Benguela, Namibe, etc. Don’t expect references to independence or the rising feeling of nationalism which existed during the time but do expect to be amazed by the Angola that existed back then. The film was produced in Portugal under the title, NO OUTRO LADO DO TEMPO.

Everybody is welcome to attend the presentation which will be in English. In close cooperation with the Viking Club, this event is offered free of charge. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks are sold at the bar, coupons must be purchased. The Viking Bar opens at 7:30 PM. If you would like to have a map showing the location of the Club, click here http://angolafieldgroup.com/find-us. The Viking Club is on the main floor of the former Swedish Building at Rua Marien N”Guabi, No 118 in Maianga, across the street from the new Panela de Barra restaurant.

The view of the Forteleza from the Ilha.

Policeman directing traffic downtown Luanda.

The post office, downtown across from the Rialto pizza, today is under renovations.

Before the war, Quicama National Park had the biggest number of Bicasa buffalo in the world.

All photos are taken from books no longer in circulation.

 

July 18, 2011

Photos from the Angola Field Group’s July 10th trip to Bengo Province

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A morning in the life of Muxima, site of the biggest Christian pilgrimage in Africa where tens of thousands of Angolans go every September to pay homage to  Mama Muxima, the famous statue of Mary which resides in the Church of Our Lady of the Conception. Behind the church is a Portuguese fort built in 1599 to keep watch of commerce and traffic going up and down the Kwanza River. Muxima was the gateway to the interior of Angola and played a role in the slave trade. Muxima is the Kimbundo word for heart. All the photos below are by Susana Borges.

A estrada entre a Muxima e Caboledo, cruzando o parque da Quissama. The road between Muxima and Caboledo, crossing the Quissama National Park.


Ponte mais longa de Angola, no município de Ícolo e Bengo, província do Bengo. Longest bridge in Angola, located in Cabala, Bengo province.

A "vida" acontece em volta do rio Kwanza. Life "happens" around the Kwanza river.

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, na Muxima. Church of Our Lady of the Conception, in the town of Muxima.

Children looking down at Kwanza River. 'Blessed are the little children...'

Para o almoço (depois do culto). For lunch (after the church service).

Vista do Rio Kwanza, na Muxima. View of the Kwanza river, from the banks of Muxima.

Cruz oferecida em honra de Paulo Dias de Novais, fundador da cidade de Luanda. Cross erected in honor of Paulo Dias de Novais, founder of the city of Luanda.

O símbolo da flor do lis num canhão no Forte da Muxima. The symbol of a lily flower on a cannon at Muxima Fort.

A bruxaria mistura-se com a devoção Mariana (alguns objectos no chão de uma das guaritas do Forte da Muxima). Witchcraft mixes with Marian devotion. Some objects on the floor of one of the watchtowers of Fort Muxima.

Vela acesa num canto de uma das duas casas no interior do Forte da Muxima. Candle in a corner of one of the two guard posts inside Muxima Fort.

Palavras na base da cruz em frente ao Forte da Muxima. Words on the base of the cross in front of Muxima Fort.

O rio Kwanza e a Igreja da Muxima vistos da base da Cruz. Kwanza River and the Muxima Church seen from the base of the cross.

O Forte da Muxim., The Fort of Muxima.

Chineses a pescar no Kwanza. Chinese fishing in Kwanza River.

Detalhes. Details.

O Forte da Muxima e a Cruz. The Fort of Muxima and the Cross.

Recebendo a benção para os objectos. Receiving the blessing for the objects

African Harrier in the park.


 

July 5, 2011

Sunday, July 10 Field Trip to Bengo province

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Mama Muxima attracts thousands of visitors in September.

The Angola Field Group invites you on a day trip to the province of Bengo, Sunday, July 10.  We will leave Luanda at 6:30 AM and drive east to Catete via Viana and then head south, crossing the Kwanza River at Cabala and then onto Muxima, a town where thousands of pilgrims converge in September for the ceremony of Nossa Senhora da Conceicao or Mama Muxima. We will see her statue in the small Catholic church which is a year-round destination for Angolans to come and pray. Towering above the church is the fort, built by the Portuguese in 1599 to control boats heading into the interior on the Kwanza River.

From Muxima we will enter Quicama National Park and drive westwards across the park to Cabo Ledo.  The Muxima – Cabo Ledo drive  will essentially be a transect showing some of the natural areas in the park but also revealing some of the activities one does not expect to find in a national park including increased subsistence farming, small villages, expanded major road infrastructure, effects of past oil production & current oil exploration, and increased developments along the coast like large-scale quarrying for cement at Cabo Ledo and the expanding beach/resort town of Zangano. Quicama still has a small undisturbed fenced-in part where game animals were re-introduced ten years ago but note, we will not be visiting that area. Before we leave the park we will meet Quicama Park Administrator, Miguel Savituma, who will give us a brief rundown on the park and be available to answer questions.

To sign up for this trip send an email to: angolafieldgroup@gmail.com

When you are registering for this trip please indicate:
* if you have room in your vehicle for more passengers and if so how many
* if you do not have transport and need a lift

Famous Muxima church and in background 16th century fort.

 

May 14, 2011

Presentation May 19: Comic Book Culture, Mothers and Multiculturalism in the United States, 1960-1990

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Calling all comic book aficionados and wanna-be ‘banda desenhada creators! Angola’s comic book industry remains undeveloped despite a big potential market. When it comes to comic books, the USA is the place where they started and remains the reference point for artists wanting to develop this medium. The Angola Field Group invites you to a colorful presentation illustrated with artistic samples: ‘Comic Book Culture, Mothers and Multiculturalism in the United States, 1960-1990’ at the Viking Club, Thursday May 19, at 8:00 PM.

Historian and avid comic book collector David Brookswill show how comic book creators of this era used the medium to promote cultural diversity and teach anti-racism. He will also offer some Jungian musings on the deeper symbols behind the heroes. David will introduce local comic book creator Abraão Eba who will comment on the Angolan comic book scene and has some of his own comic books for sale at the Viking Club. David Brooks, who is Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Angola, has a PhD in Latin American History and is eager to meet Angolans interested in banda desenhada.

New post, June field trip, explore caves in KwanzaSul.  Scroll down for sign-up details.

"Don Fofo: O Morto Vivo" by Abraão Eba and Jadd Santos - one of few local comic books available.


 

May 14, 2011

Field Trip: Saturday June 4th and 5th

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Natural sky light reveals cavern's formations.

The Angola Field Group invites you to explore two caves in Kwanza Sul, outside the city of Sumbe.  We will depart Saturday June 4th at 6:00 AM from our meeting point, to be announced. It’s an approximate 4 hour drive from Luanda to Sumbe.  After checking into our hotel on the marginal of Sumbe, we will visit the first cave. There is a descent so good running shoes or hiking boots advisable; also there is a thick layer of fine dust on the floors of the caves. There should be time on Saturday to also see the Cubal River Gorge and the near-by forteleza.  Sunday we will get an early start back to Luanda and visit the second cave enroute. We hope to be back in Luanda by late afternoon.

We will spend Saturday night in the Sol Nacional Hotel, a comfortable colonial era building overlooking the ocean. Ocean-facing rooms are 200usd. No view is 180usd. Price includes breakfast. Saturday evening dinner will be in a restaurant on the marginal. You will need to pack lunch for both Saturday and Sunday.

* * *All Angola Field Group trips are at your own risk. We will be traveling through 3 provinces so you must have original passport with valid visa with you. An email with final times and departure point will be emailed to confirmed participants. We need to limit the number of cars so sign up as soon as possible but only if you seriously intend to go. This field trip is being organized and led by Kelse Alexander and Tako Koning.

To sign up for this trip or if you have further questions, please email Kelse: Kelse.Alexandre@bp.com

When you are registering for this trip please indicate:
* if you have room in your vehicle for more passengers and if so how many
* if you do not have transport and need a lift
* if you need a single or double room

Gorge created as Cubal River cuts through coastal plain.


 

April 28, 2011

Mount Moco and Kumbira Forest Trip

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Kumbira Forest, Kwanza Sul.

Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. An opportunity to travel off the beaten path with environmentalist and bird expert, Michael Mills (for more on Angola’s birds, go to www.birdsangola.org). You will be camping and need to be self sufficient in all aspects including transport. A four wheel drive definitely a necessity. You can accompany Michael on all or part of his trips as per the schedule below. To attend contact Michael Mills at michael@birdingafrica.com and his phone number: 934-969865. On your email please ‘cc’ angolafieldgroup@gmail.com since Michael is travelling in northern Angola and not always within communication range.

11 May 2011 Wednesday
Drive to Mount Moco

12 May 2011 Thursday to 15 May 2011 Sunday
Mount Moco
16 May 2011 Monday
Drive to Kumbira

17 May 2011 Tuesday to 19 May 2011 Thursday
Kumbira

20 May 2011 Friday
Drive to Luanda

Summit of Mount Moco in Huambo province. Photos courtesy Michael Mills.

 

April 27, 2011

“The Man Who Cried Tomato Juice Tears” at Chá de Caxinde

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The Contemporary Dance Company of Angola (CDCA) is staging a new production, “The Man Who Cried Tomato Juice Tears” at the downtown historic National Theater, Chá de Caxinde, on April 29 and 30 at 8:30 PM and May 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 at 8:30 PM plus May 1, 8, 15 and 22 at 6:30 PM.

Click on the image to see full size.

Tickets can be purchased for 2000 kwanzas, at Cha de Caxinde during the week or at the Viking Club bar, Thursday evenings from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. For a map with Viking Bar locations click here. In “The Man Who Cried Tomato Juice Tears”, CDCA returns to the theme of social critique, depicting day to day Angolan characters and their social quirks.

 

April 5, 2011

Go with the Flow of the Okavango, July 7-16

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The Okavango River rises in the highlands of Angola and flows over1,000 miles, passing through Namibia before entering Botswana andforming the Okavango Delta, the world's largest inland delta. Photo courtesy J. Mendelsohn.

UPDATE: THIS FIELD TRIP HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL DECEMBER 2011, DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED.
Coming, July 7 to July 16, Okavango Basin Tour driving from the source in Huambo to the Delta in Botswana. This ten day camping trip will be led by Dr. John Mendelsohn, zoologist, birder and joint author of ‘Okavango River – The Flow of a Lifeline’ a book about the Okavango River’s geography and the people that are affected by it.

Transport available for hire from Huambo unless you have your own reliable four wheel drive. Return to Luanda by road or air (Maun-Windhoek-Luanda). We prefer everybody to be self-sufficient in terms of food, drinks & equipment but exceptions can be made. A fee will be levied if equipment and catering is required.

Itinerary (scroll down for map):

Thursday, July 07, 2011 Arrive in Huambo
Friday, July 08, 2011 Depart for Chicala Choholanga and overnight at Sambo
Saturday, July 09, 2011 Drive to Kubango
Sunday, July 10, 2011 Drive to Menongue
Monday, July 11, 2011 Drive to Cuito Cuanavale
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 Drive to Caiundo
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 Drive to Shamvura (Cuito confluence)
Thursday, July 14, 2011 Drive to Shakawe
Friday, July 15, 2011 Drive to Maun
Saturday, July 16, 2011 Depart for Angola, Namibia etc

We are just finalizing last details, but if you know you want to do this trip, you can sign up now by sending an email to angolafieldgroup@gmail.com. A small registration fee to secure your place will be required closer to departure date. 

Okavango Basin route. Click on map to see full size.

 

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