Kizomba - Neide

So I've already introduced you to a little Semba and a little Kuduro both hailing from Angola. Now on to a little Kizomba.

Coming out of the late 1980s/early 1990s, Kizomba fuses a little Semba and a lot of Zouk beats. The underline beat instantly want to swing to the beat. It's very sensual yet still danceable. It's sorta like R&B with a whole lot of Caribbean and African beats all mixed in...

I'll introduce you to one of Kizomba recent stars:

Neide Núria de Sousa Van-Dúnem Vieira


This 23 year old seems to be hitting the good times with this her 2007 hit: Olá Baby.

On a final note, those of you hip hop/rap lovers may definitely enjoy a little Angolan rap via Big Nelo.

Flores, Bastos & Bonga

I know how excited I get about Friday's musical posts....well this week my excitement is three-fold because I get to share music from Angola. The music coming out of Angola literally goes straight to my bones and part of my image of quintessential "African" music (although we all know how diverse African music really is). It is remarkable how many great musicians can come out such a little country. In spite of a brutal and long civil war that destroyed so many aspects of the country, the music environment continued to thrive. In the past few years, a little peace in the country has allowed to music scene to explode.

Let's get started with some of my all-time favorite Angolan artists. As soon as they open their mouths, you know that they are singing straight from the heart and that their song is dedicated to their country and their people. Their music are all rooted in the Semba which is basically the predecessor of the Samba, Kuduro, and Kizomo beats.

First up is Paulo Flores:


Next up is Waldemar Bastos. I've already written about my love for this musician (click here), and so I am more than happy to share a little more!


Another favorite of mine is Bonga:


Stay tuned for more music today!!

Art Scene: António Ole

Love this installation of old doors and windows collected throughout Luanda

Like many Angolans (and Africans in general), António Ole got a kick start on his artistic path through schooling abroad. In his case, it was film school at UCLA. While the movie business proved not to be the right medium for him, he did eventually find his way to visual arts. He combines, video, photography, recycled stuff and whatever else is within reach to tell amazing stories about Angolan history and people.

Don't know why, but my mind automatically thinks this would be great as a stamp, not to mention as a nice piece in my "one day" home!

{Photos from Universes in Universe, GruPocLi}

Art Gallery: Jorge Gumbe

It isn't often that I am intrigued by things that remind me of children (not that I don't like little kiddies....just haven't crossed that life-bridge yet), but the work of Jorge Gumbe definitely grabbed my attention.


This Angolan painter has studied in Luanda, Havana, Stockholm and even earned a PhD in London but sticks as close to his home country as possible.

I love the youthful element of his work. This is the find of stuff that would be quite creative in a children's book. His work focuses a lot on symbolism and mythology of the earth and sea.

This last one is my favorite. It's like a night circus where the everyone seems really into it. You can even see the movement in the bodies of the audience!

What's your take?

{Photos from Espaco Loios, ArtAfrica, and Às Vezes (Des)Organizo}

The Root of Capoeira

While it is quite popular to associate Capoeira with Brazil, as part of the Afro-Brazilian culture, it is self evident that its roots lie in Africa. To be specific, those roots come right out of Angola. One of the main ideas out and about capoeira is that it start way back in the day as a way to win a bride. Two men would bust out their best capoeira moves and whoever won not only got the woman, he also didn't have to cough up any dowry. "What I steal!!!" Eventually, this ritualistic tradition turned a little more serious when foot-fighting was added as a means of defense against attacks (if only it had worked a little better against slave masters).


From Denmark to Istanbul to West Side Manhattan, Capoeira Angola is yet another great export that has stood the test of a whole lot of time. This is something I've always found so interesting and would love to learn! Click here to see a really cool video about Angolan style Capoeira.

Speedracer...Angola Style

I get such a thrill finding unexpected things and honestly, I was not expecting an entire world of car racing in Angola. Before it's independence and all hell breaking loose (civil war), Angola was a hot spot for car rallies!


I find this so fascinating on so many levels!

• At one point in Angolan history, the powers that be had soo much cash floating about, there was actually spare to build paved race tracks!
  
• Somewhere out there in the world, there is some guy for whom events like this, in Africa, were a part of their normal childhood experience.
  
• In most of these pics (and there are over 100 more where these came from), it is quite clear that Angolans of the dark and lovely variety were not the ones behind the wheels or even in the audience. One can only wonder what history would look like had they been able to participate...
  

Car racing in Angola could not survive independence and civil war. Since the war ended, Angolans have justly been focusing their attention on other matters such as rebuilding a nation, creating jobs, etc., so car rallies continue to remain part of the past.


Maybe Angola will have such pastimes as car racing again, maybe one in which all Angolans can participate in...

In the main time, click here to enjoy more vintage photos of Angola in Fast and Furious mode! You can also find out more about the wide wide world of present-day African car racing over at the African Rally Championship site.

Cristo Redentor or Rei?!?

When it comes to Rio de Janeiro several key touristy terms comes to mind: Ipanema, caipirinha, and without a doubt - Christ the Redeemer. This mega statue that overlooks the city is hard to ignore.

However, as this blog is about Africa and not Brazil (although the links between the two are endless), you have probably already figured that these images are not of the Brazilian Christ! In fact, this is the Christ the King statue. Built high on a hill overlooking the city of Lubango in Angola, this statue shows just how serious the Portuguese were about their religion.


I actually find this mini version of Christ the Redeemer in Africa to be really interesting. It feels very unexpected. I now wonder if there is a version of these in every ex-Portuguese colony?!?

Tuesday's Design: A Little of the New....

Just in case you think Angola is all about the colonial architecture and renovated chic, here are a few sleek and modern examples of the type of buildings that are now booming structures popping up around the country. My only hope is that in their scramble to "modernize" the old beautiful structures don't get over run by ugly skyscrapper that can so easily go from sleek and modern to just plain ugly...

Tuesday's Design: A Little of the Old....

{A}

So let's be honest, when I thought about this idea of focusing on one country for an entire week, the mere idea of what I would do for Tuesday's Design for some countries caused me to break out in hives. Sad but true, not every country in Africa has the chic boutique hotels of South Africa, designer style lodges of Kenya, beach hideaways of Zanzibar, or desert getaways of Morocco. In my search for luxury Angola, I found myself seeking what man (or Google) have not yet created (or if they have, it's so exclusive, mere mortals don't know about it yet). So while the moneyed of Africa (or China) go about building the hotels and lodges of my dreams, I have decided to focus on what Angola seems to have around every bend: beautiful architecture!

The idea of a fixer-upper has been around for quite a while now. Brits have made an art out of this in France and Spain, while every design magazine or newspaper Home and Garden section are quick to feature a "before & after" where a house that once looked like it was a lost cause is transformed with a little elbow grease, patience, and deep pockets into the next garden of Eden. It's all about seeing the diamond in the rough and well, we all know that Angola is all about the diamonds!

So come along with me as I do a little restoration dreaming. In {A}, I absolutely love this balcony! You may have a little tree action coming from the inside out, but nothing a good contractor can't tackle.

{B}

The owner of the jeep in {B} already seems to see the potential in this beauty. Between the half-doom window and this garage door, it literally took me less than a hot minute to fall in love with this home. I envision putting the blues and oranges back on the walls and the orange back on the panes of a newer door. Needless to say there is a BIG blue ocean on the other side of this beauty in my imagination! Can you see it too?!

{C}

What I love about the next two are just how much the beautiful of the original structure still shines through. In {C} the ceiling and the effect it has on the whole interior of the building is just incredible! I can imagine the whole thing changes as the sun does it's daily tour.

{D}

Yeah...I know that {D} is a wreck, but seriously look at the floor!!! I can't imagine what this building must have looked like in all it's pre-bombed out glory, but if the builder put this much effort into the floor, imagine what the rest of the structure must have looked like...

Thanks so much for doing a little renovation dreaming with me. The next three images show buildings that are either new or next got damaged so your imagination can take a next break. They all keep the colonial style and as usual, I'm all about the colorful facades.

{Photos from Flickr}

Jean Depara

Depara getting a little smooch action

I absolutely love vintage photography so you know I love Angolan photographer Jean Depara. Born in 1928, Depara picked up his first camera at the age of 22 for his wedding day and basically never put it down!

Depara

One year after his wedding, Depara moved to Kinshasa where he would take most of his work. These pictures are unbelievable. They provide such an incredible look at a city and country at an interesting phase in it's history. Contrary to the "dark" country that is so often portrayed in literature, this version of DRC is hip, lively, and clearly the place to be!

During the 1950s, Depara spent his time at his Jean Whiskey Studio and frequented all the social bars and clubs throughout the city, capturing the stars of the time. Musicians and other artists would hire Depara to be part of their entourage and capture them in their glory before flaming out.

Can you hear the beat?!? I totally want to step to whatever they are grooving to!

Seriously, this is the funniest thing ever! NO ONE can tell his guy he isn't the bomb!

So any favorites for you?

{Photos from the Pigozzi Collection}

Chilala Moco

I am totally amazed by Angolan photographer Chilala Moco. I found out about his work over at CosWeAfricanWomenAreDoin&DoinItWell a while ago and have been looking for the perfect time to unleash his work and clearly today is that day!


I'm sure it would be difficult to mess up any picture of this stunning face, but Moco still does an great job here. I love how her naturalness and ease comes shining through...


Some may not like the overexposed kids in this picture, but I actually love them in contrast to the sand and ocean that sorta blend into each other.


I love the graininess of this pic!

Jose Manuel Lima da Silva

Hailing from Malanje, Angola and raised in Lisbon, this photographer is clearly overflowing with talent. You have already had a little sample of his work from the introduction to Angola Week, but here is a little flexing of his photographic wings!


You can check out more of Jose Manuel Lima da Silva on his Flickr page!

Angola Week!

As I mentioned on Friday, this entire week will be dedicated to Angola. I thought of this idea last month and I started out with Algeria, but I'm trying to kick up my game and make this month's dedication even more fabulous!

So kick back, chillax and enjoy a full week of exploring all the beauty coming out of Angola!

Sit tight for some great photographers coming up throughout the day

{Photos from Flickr}