Angola Avante

"Template:Lang" (Template:Langx, Template:Literal translation) is the national anthem of Angola. Ruy Mingas composed the music, while the lyrics were authored by Manuel Rui. It was adopted as the national anthem in November 1975, when the country gained its independence from Portugal. The lyrics make reference to several key events of the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), which has been in power since independence and was the only party in Angola until 1992.

History

"Angola Avante" was composed by Ruy Mingas.<ref name=CIA>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The lyrics to the song were penned by Manuel Rui Alves Monteiro<ref name=CIA/> (1941–), an author who studied in Huambo and is affiliated with both the country's Writer Union and Union of Artists and Composers.<ref name=dictionary>Template:Cite book</ref> He is one of the best-selling writers in the capital city Luanda – according to an "informal survey" conducted in July 2003<ref name=dictionary/> – and writes about "everyday life" in the country using satire and irony.<ref name=dictionary/> The song was officially designated as the country's national anthem in 1975, when the country gained independence on 11 November that year.<ref name=CIA/> It is enshrined under Article 164 of the constitution of Angola.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Proposed changes

Its lyrics refer to several key events in the history of the MPLA. However, this has been rendered "obsolete" since the end of the one-party state in 1992.<ref name=guide>Template:Cite book</ref> As a result, there have been efforts to modify the national anthem, along with other national symbols.<ref name=guide/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, none of these have come to fruition, and the anthem remains unchanged as of 2014.<ref name=CIA/>

Lyrics

The lyrics of "Angola Avante" allude to how the country and its people will progress forward in the future.<ref>Template:Cite journal Template:Registration required</ref> It has been classified by The Daily Telegraph′s Ivan Hewett as one of several contemporary national anthems that convey "a more martial tone" inspired by "La Marseillaise".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The latter third of both verses is usually considered refrain and repeated; the chorus is also repeated twice during each rendition.

Portuguese (official language)

Portuguese original<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	IPA transcriptionTemplate:Efn
<poem>Template:Lang</poem>	<poem>Template:IPA</poem>

Kikongo (national language)

Kongo lyrics<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	IPA transcriptionTemplate:Efn
<poem>Template:Lang Template:Yesitalic</poem>	<poem>Template:IPA Template:Small</poem>

English translation

<poem>I Oh Fatherland, we shall never forget The heroes of the Fourth of February. Oh Fatherland, we salute your children Who died for our Independence. 𝄆 We honour the past and our History, As by our work we build the New Man. 𝄇 Template:Small 𝄆 Forward, Angola! Revolution through the power of the People: A United Country, Freedom, One People, one Nation! 𝄇 II Let us raise our liberated voices For the glory of the peoples of Africa. We shall march, Angolan fighters, In solidarity with oppressed peoples. 𝄆 We shall fight proudly for Peace Along with the progressive forces of the world. 𝄇 Template:Small<ref name="lyricsondemand">Template:Cite web</ref></poem>

In popular culture

The name of the national anthem is used as a nickname for an inter-community association football competition held to boost sports activities both in Angola and among people from the Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) living in Portugal.<ref name="2011 tournament">Template:Cite news</ref> Hosted in Portugal in 2011 and 2013, the latter tournament featured teams from Brazil, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and São Tomé and Príncipe.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The 2011 sporting event coincided with and honoured the 36th anniversary of the independence of Angola.<ref name="2011 tournament"/>

External links

• MP3 file