This project is a photographic documentation capturing the journey of the UBUNTU collective, consisting of artists and activists from Luanda, Angola, during their trip to the province of Malanje in December 2019.
Comprising core members Isidro Fortunato, Pick Ngudiakage, Simon Bengui Edward, and Fenix Ukwakusimadas, the collective focuses on the conceptual fusion of hip-hop, pan-Africanism, and decolonization. Their aim is to empower youth, instill confidence, and impart critical knowledge on racism beyond the borders of the Angolan capital.
The “Diálogos Cultural” program takes the collective to educational institutions and cultural sites across Angola. In particular, their visit to the present-day province of Malanje holds historical significance as it was originally the land of Queen Nzinga of Ndongo and Mbande—a renowned resistance figure against colonization. Queen Nzinga is known for her 52 years of resistance and diplomatic strategies in protecting her people.
This project explores the spiritual and cultural aspects of this region by accepting an invitation from the sobas, the elders, of the Cuale region to join them at the “Table of Nzinga.”
The “Table of Nzinga” is a natural monument, a sacred mountain plateau where spiritual ceremonies were traditionally held. The project involved a two-hour journey on foot guided by the sobas, accompanied by the spirits and children of the village. Along the way, interviews were conducted, and stories were shared, preserving the oral traditions passed down through generations by the sobas.
The photographic documentation serves as a visual narrative of this profound cultural and historical experience, capturing the essence of the journey and the stories shared during this meaningful expedition.
