Homeland of the Ovimbundu

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angola#Coastal_lowland 

The homeland of the Ovimbundu is located in west-central Angola. This includes the Bie Plateau, central highlands, and the coastal strip to the west of these highlands. The plateau is were the majority of their agriculture takes place with crops such as corn, rice, coffee, peanuts, sugarcane, and beans. Along the coastal regions is where mainly fishing takes place. The plateau and the areas surrounding it are great places for agriculture because several major rivers originate from the plateau. These rivers provide an adequate water supply for irrigation for crops. These rivers include the Cunene River, the Kuanza River, the Kwango River, and the Zambezi River. Most of these rivers flow west and end up at the Atlantic Ocean but the Cunene flows south before turning west towards the Atlantic. The climate in this area is also cool enough and receives enough rainfall that agriculture thrives. This is why nearly half of the rural population resides along the plateau.

http://www.southsouthnews.com/

country/Angola/Index.aspx?nc=4 

            The Ovimbundu inhabit an area where the climate usually alternates between rainy or dry. The dry, cooler season extends from June to later in September and the rainy season takes place from October to April or May. Rainfall greatly determines the climate and decreases rapidly from north to south. The Bie Plateau receives about fifty-seven inches of rain per year. The climate also varies from the coast to the central plateau. It is a much cooler climate along the coastal line of Angola because of the Benguela Current, which brings about fog, low clouds, and mist. However, regions across the highlands and the inner plateau can become cooler due to their altitude. 

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. 

Introduction and Index

Hello my name is Serena and I'm currently in a World Regional Geography class at East Stroudsburg University where we are learning about different groups and cultures throughout the semester. I have had the opportunity to research the Ovimbundu of Angola over the past several weeks and will be sharing my findings about this group and their culture. First I will give a short introduction to the Ovimbundu. 

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ao.html

The Ovimbundu are a Bantu ethnic group found in central Angola along with parts of the western coast. They are the largest ethnic group in Angola and make up almost forty percent of the population bringing them to a total of about six million people overall. The Ovimbundu speak Umbundu and largely follow Christianity, however, this is also mixed with practices and beliefs from traditional African religions. The Ovimbundu are traditionally farmers but some also hunt and raise livestock. 

Blog Index: 

1. History of the Ovimbundu 

2. Homeland of the Ovimbundu: Physical Landscape and Climate 

3. World of the Ovimbundu

4. Ovimbundu Worldview

5. Birds of the Ovimbundu

6. The Ovimbundu and their neighbors 

7. Ovimbundu migration and diaspora 

8. Interview 

9. Ovimbundu cultural survival 

10. References