Location: The Ovimbundu people live in the highlands of Angola, Africa. They are spread throughout Angola as a result of the civil war, though they are mostly located in the Benguela highlands.
Language: Umbundu was the original language of the Ovimbundu people.
History: The Ovimbundu moved into Angola in the 17th century from the northeast. The Ovimbundu, of Bantu origin, lived side by side with the indigenous cattle-keeping people. They often traded with the Portuguese. They had several tribal groups each with a ceremonial chief, a social system that helped stabilize political organizations. Because of their economic success and controlled trade routes, they had superiority over other tribes in the area. Trading activities declined because of the suppression of the slave trade and construction of the Benguela Railway in 1904.
Portuguese colonists were interested in Ovimbundu tribes during the 20th century because of their desirable homeland, lack of hostility, and over-all adaptability. Likewise, the Ovimbundu were open to new ideas from the Europeans and they adapted their clothing, education, and economy. Over the course of two centuries, however, the Ovimbundu lost most of their culture heritage to the ways of the Portuguese. Many Ovimbundu, living in urban Portuguese towns have adapted to the European way of life in terms of food, clothing, and marriage patterns.
Daily Life: The average Ovimbundu family consists of the male, his several wives and many children. They placed great importance on the value of relationships. The men valued their wives because of the importance that was placed on her children, her garden keeping and cooking. Faithfulness was very important in the marriages. Children of certain families attend initiation schools. the women and children spent most of their time tending corn and bean crops. The men and boys did the hunting. They used oxen for transportation and raised sheep, goats, and cows.
References:
People Profiles. Ovimbundu http://www.imb.org/southern-africa/ovimibunda.htm 30 April 2001
Britannica.com. Ovimbundu http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9057773 30 April 2001
Author: Jenifer Bussian