History of the Ovimbundu

The Ovimbundu, which are Bantu populations, came in from the north and formed several groups that eventually became political units. Change started to come in about the 16^th century when the Portuguese established a colonial bridgehead in Benguela. At this point in time several of the smaller kingdoms organized a caravan trade between Benguela and people of the East. From this trade they obtained rubber, honey, wax, and ivory. Trade agreements that linked independent chiefdoms brought about the development of regional specializations, which included metalwork and cornmeal production. As well as trading tangible products, the slave trade took place not only in Africa but also significantly throughout the Ovimbundu society. Caravan trade began to deteriorate with the abolishment of the slave trade and the construction of the Benguela Railway, which took place in 1904. The Ovimbundu entirely changed their economy in the following years to cash crop production, which was sold to a network of Portuguese traders. However, at this time Europeans were allotted large portions of their land for plantations and many of the Ovimbundu began to work as paid labor there in their own regions.

            From 1966 to 1974 the Ovimbundu were the main social basis of an anti-colonial movement known as the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) that fought against the Portuguese. During this time there was also another movement known as the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) that fought against the Portuguese, who later fought the UNITA after independence was gained. This was known as the Angolan Civil War of 1975 to 2002. During this Civil War, two large cities in Ovimbundu territory were largely destroyed along with many other roads, bridges, and railways. This war caused numerous fatalities, massive destruction, and displaced many people from their homes.

            After the war ended in 2002, reconstruction efforts have been taking place not only by the government but by the people as well. At this time many of the Ovimbundu people have returned to their original land but some still remain in various cities, which is why the Ovimbundu now spread over a large area in Angola. Also more recent elections that took place in 2008 show that Ovimbundu support has now shifted from UNITA to the MPLA because they don’t want to risk a regeneration of armed violence of any kind.