Languages in Cabinda

A people without the knowledge of its history, its origin, its culture is like a tree without roots. Thus, the identity of a people depends on the knowledge of its history and its cultural heritage. Language is the main vehicle for achieving this heritage.

Ethnographically, Cabinda is a territory made up of the ancient kingdoms of Kakongo, Ngoyo and Loango.

Ethnic groups consist of :

a)- Bawoyo;

b)- Bavili;

c)- Basundi;

d)- Bayombe;

e)- Balindji;

f)- Bakocthi;

g)- Bakwakongo.

Each ethnic group has a variation but homogeneous in inter-ethnic communication, for example a Bayombe speaks Kiyombe, a Bavili speaks Kivili, a Bawoyo speaks Kiwoyo, etc., however, they understand each other without an interpreter. Linguistically, Cabinda is a multi-language territory, characterized by the coexistence of the Portuguese language, today the official language.

Wealth and natural beauty

A mosaic of forests, savannas, swamps, rivers and flooded forests, Cabinda is bursting with life. There are several varieties of tropical plant species. Endangered species, such as forest elephants, chimpanzees, bonobos and lowland and mountain gorillas inhabit the lush Mayombe forest.

Parties and festivals

Parties and festivals are long-awaited occasions for official commemorations through the variety of modern music and traditional dances (Mayeye, Kitueni, Muchacha, etc.), art exhibitions and cultural festivals.

For example, traditional Bakama groups assimilate to a secret society. Its members appear in different ceremonies and wear masks decorated with dry banana leaves and cloth. The Bakamas serve as intermediaries between the people, the deity and the ancestors. The Bakama honor our ancestors, with painted masks, brooms made of palm leaf veins and banana leaf clothing.

The regional museum

The Cabinda Regional Museum is an important center of research and knowledge on Cabindan tradition and culture. There are handicrafts that describe and highlight the habits and customs of the territory.

Gastronomy

Cabindese cuisine is rich and very varied, for example Saka-saka ya madesu (cassava leaves with beans) is a typical Cabindese dish in Central Africa, called “ three pieces ” when accompanied with rice, we can also quote (to make you salivate more) Calulu made from dried meat previously soaked. It is then cooked over medium heat and served with funge (manioc porridge), beans and palm oil. The garnish can also include plantin bananas, saca folha (cassava leaves) or kwanga (cooked cassava). smoked fish or smoked meat, etc.

The Tchikumbi

Tchikumbi or kikumbi is an ancestral rite of initiation and fertility, marking the passage of the young girl, from childhood to marriageable age. This ritual, originally practiced by all the peoples of the northern branch of the Kingdom of Kongo, is now only practiced by the Vili, Yombe and Woyo ethnic groups, divided between the two Congo and Cabinda.

Founding myth

According to a myth of his peoples, the Maloango, sovereign of the Kingdom of Loango wanted to take a wife. She was then introduced to a very beautiful young girl with all the physical assets of femininity but unfortunately lacking all the virtues of a good wife. From that day on, the deities consulted decreed that in the kingdom an initiation rite should be the prerequisite for any girl who wanted to become a suitable bride. Thus was born the tchikumbi, a ritual of preparation for marriage.

The purpose of the initiation and fertility ceremonies of tchikumbi is to integrate young girls into the community, to teach them the habits and customs of society and how to keep a home. This initiatory process is in the process of total disappearance in the face of modern mores.