Africa-Press – Angola. Uíge – The minister of Culture, Filipe Zau, predicts that the archaeological site of Tchitundo-Hulu will be elevated to World Cultural Heritage status by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) anytime during the current year.
Tchitundo-Hulu is an important complex of rock paintings and engravings, more than 4 thousand years old, located on a granite hill and considered one of the most valuable archaeological treasures in the country, depicting the pre-history of the region before the arrival of the Bantu tribe.
Angola submitted the application dossier for this site, located in the municipality of Virei, province of Namibe, and Semba music Style to the UNESCO World Heritage list on Jan 30th of the current year.
The official, speaking to the press at the end of the 1st Ordinary Session of the National Multisectoral Commission for the Safeguarding of World Cultural Heritage, admitted the likelihood of Tchitundo-Hulo and Semba Music being elevated to World Cultural Heritage status this year.
Another point highlighted by the governor was the issue related to Semba music Style, stressing that “we have received information, including the number, that Semba will be included on the heritage list in China between 2026’s Nov and Dec, so the country may have another intangible heritage.”
Regarding the province of Uíge, Filipe Zau considered it essential to conduct multicultural and scientific work on the Serra do Pingano, the Grutas do Nzenzo, and other sites of cultural interest, to integrate them into the list of World Cultural Heritage.
In the specific case of the Serra do Pingano, he recommended a scientific study to assess its medicinal plants and other aspects related to the population.
In this way, he said it is important to carry out a foundational study on issues related to vegetation, flora, and minerals, a commitment that will involve the Ministries of Culture and Finance, as well as universities.
To that end, he said, we need a team involved in this aspect that begins to do groundwork and establish the relevance of the mountain range so that other studies, including tourism, can follow later.
