3651: Traditional community singing, Camacupa, Angola - a podcast by Cities and Memory

Traditional community singing in a remote rural village near Camacupa, Angola recorded by Mike Bingham.



"I was fortunate enough to visit Angola with Oxfam in February 2010 on a story gathering trip. Angola was decimated by a 27 year civil war from 1975-2002 which killed over 500,000 people and displaced a further 1 million. Train lines, roads, airports and basic infrastructure were destroyed (including all but 1 bridge) leaving many communities isolated. We were told 6 million landmines still litter the countryside rendering much of the farmland unusable and forcing Angola to import 80% of its food."

"Despite facing these immense challenges, some rural communities have managed to sustain themselves, and even prosper. As we arrived at this community near Camacupa in central Angola, the villagers burst in to song to welcome us. I was moved to tears but managed to document the moment."