Wild Africa for centuries has attracted a "cultural" guest from Europe and America, the first colonialists dreamed of conquering and taming wild peoples. Today's travelers have a different task - to get acquainted with the unique natural resources, admire the striking representatives of African flora and fauna, and study local traditions and crafts.
In this article, we'll talk about what to bring from Angola, a country that at one time experienced a strong Portuguese influence, but managed to preserve the ancient languages spoken by groups and tribes. Ethnic arts also got a second wind in this country, since goods made by local craftsmen using old technologies and techniques are most popular with “white” guests from the north.
What to bring from Angola traditional?
If you try to find out which Angolan craft ranks first in the popularity rating, then it will be almost impossible to do this. The group of leaders is determined by the following areas: wood crafts; ceramic products; things woven from vines, other plants; hand-woven fabrics and textiles; malachite jewelry and interior items; precious stones and jewelry.
Each of the tourists determines their own shopping priorities and follows only them. Undoubtedly, many foreign guests admire the wooden ritual masks, sculptures made by the Chokwe people living on the territory of three African states - Angola, Zambia and Congo.
For the production of their famous Chokwe masks, they use a variety of materials; on sale you can find masks cut from a single piece of wood, made from bark or plant fibers. Stylistically, these linings are reminiscent of faces, repeating the typical features of the local inhabitants - an elongated chin, a pointed nose, large eyes and full lips. Notches are made on the “cheeks” and “forehead” of the mask, traditionally three colors are used:
- white - a symbol of man, strength, life, truth;
- red, symbolizing a woman, and also evil, weakness, illness;
- black, a direct indication of connections with the other world, witchcraft and shamanism.
Another kind of masks is painted blue, but such overlays are used only in one ritual - initiation of boys, as a rule, masks of this kind are not sold. It is interesting that in the old days only natural materials and natural dyes were used to make masks. Today you can see that local craftsmen are absolutely comfortable using synthetic fabrics, for example, nylon, as well as industrially produced paints. And the masks themselves have turned from objects of sacred rituals and rituals into a hot commodity, which is very popular with guests from other countries. That is why many artisans switched to the manufacture of "goods", and not the mask of a tribal leader or a beautiful woman.
The Chokwe people are ready to offer another truly Angolan "gift" that is also loved by tourists - a figurine of the Chokwe thinker. It somewhat resembles Rodin's famous sculpture "The Thinker", as it also shows a man in a seated position, who rests on his knees with his elbows, and props his head with his hands - "thinks". Naturally, the African "thinker" appeared many centuries earlier than Rodin's.
Furniture from Angola
Wood is one of the most beloved materials in Angola; it is it that craftsmen use to make household and interior items, dishes and even furniture. Of course, a tourist who has made a gift for himself or his loved ones in the form of a furniture set may have difficulties in delivering the purchase home, but it is very difficult to refuse.
The most popular pieces of furniture are tables and chairs, a characteristic feature of the technological process is that furniture structures are made from a single piece of wood. This is not just furniture, objects have a symbolic meaning, for example, a chair is a kind of throne, a support for any man. Sometimes they demonstrate a connection between the real world and the other world, sometimes they are stylized to resemble one or another African animal (monkey, buffalo or elephant). In addition to large wooden furniture structures, tourists like to buy smaller items - combs, snuff boxes, jewelry, primitive musical instruments such as tiny whistles or huge drums.
A few tips for tourists: when buying, you should actively bargain, however, you need to know Portuguese or at least English. The prices are too high, the amount can be reduced by almost three times. In addition, you should be careful when buying antiques and ivory items so that there are no problems at customs.
