Africa-Press – Angola. Carnival groups in the municipality of Cambambe (Cuanza Norte) are concerned about the lack of support for participating in this edition of the carnival festival, taking place between the 18th and 21st of this month.
António Abílio, commander of the Estrela de Cacesse group, founded in the 1940s, in the city of Dondo, seat of the municipality, considered that it is increasingly difficult to maintain the group’s tradition, due to the lack of incentives for expenses Carnival.
For António Abílio, until the 1990s, groups were encouraged by the support they received from the Ministry of Culture, for the acquisition of clothing, drums, bugles and other expenses arising from the activity, for a good performance.
Faced with this reality, he said, they are forced to resort to contributions from dancers, which reflects negatively on the levels of organization and is discouraging many young people from joining carnival groups.
In 2020, the group represented the municipality of Cambambe in the provincial parade and won second place.
For the commander, this classification, which he considered a disappointment, was a consequence of poor preparation.
Felizardo João Domingos, commander of the Cidrália da Mangueira group, founded in 1956, also expressed displeasure at the lack of support for groups that intend to dance during Carnival.
In the past, he recalled, there was greater appreciation of the groups, including the support of the business class, which allowed good participation in the carnival.
He informed that the group, which has not yet started rehearsals, will participate in this edition of the 2023 carnival, with the contribution of the members.
Filomena Nzage, former queen of Ceramics, now president of the association, also made reference to the importance that was attributed to groups in the past, because carnival is the most popular cultural manifestation of Angolans, which should retain everyone’s attention.
“Today, it is not easy to organize a group, but there is a need to maintain them because that is where our habits and customs are manifested and despite the difficulties, communities embrace this cause, she said.
The president of the Cerâmica group defended the need for a specific fund to support the carnival, to maintain the groups, encourage the new generation and allow the emergence of more organizations.
Meanwhile, the municipal director of culture, João António dos Santos, considered the concerns presented by the groups fair, assuring that the matter has deserved the attention of the local authorities, who are working to raise funds to support the carnival.
In this 2023 edition, six groups will participate in the municipal carnival parade in Cambambe.
He encouraged the groups to remain organized, in view of the importance of Carnival, which is considered the highest manifestation of the Angolan people.
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