Book review, Catumbela. Family genealogy and aspects of Bantu culture, habits and customs in the Ovimbundu tradition. Benguela, 2020, 161p.

Abstract

The aim of this review is to present a book that enhances some traditional features of the family, habits and customs within a community, the Ovimbundu people. It is an easy-to-read book and arouses the interest of anyone who wants to know this culture better. The author is originally from the province of Benguela, Angola, and sets out to show the traditions that this ethnic group maintains over time whilst surrounded by other completely different cultures, not being threatened to the point of causing its disappearance. Although the work is in Portuguese, the use of terms in Umbundo, the language most spoken as it is the country's native language, is very frequent. This work also aims to demonstrate the importance of the uses and rituals they represent for this people, since they are essential for a well-consolidated culture. The writer intends to transmit cultural values ​​to younger generations, so that they can enthusiastically understand their origins. The editor also adds that a family tree can help to understand some of the problems that exist within the family and, therefore, find possible solutions. Finally, this book deserves to be read by everyone not only because it deals with the identity of an African people, but also for the general knowledge about Africa that is sometimes forgotten.