Africa-Press – Angola. The governor of Cunene, Gerdina Didalelwa, highlighted Monday, the bravery of the combatants in the Battle of Vau do Pembe, fought in 1904 between Portuguese troops and Cuamatos warriors.
The battle took place on September 25th of that year, involving the forces of the Portuguese Army, commanded by Captain Luís Pinto de Almeida, and Kuamato warriors, currently the municipality of Ombadja, under the orders of King Oshietekela.
Speaking at the event that marked the celebration of the 119th anniversary of the battle, the minister said that it represents an important milestone in the history of Angola’s struggle against colonial occupation and the drastic moments experienced during this period.
He stated that it was an important struggle to continue others that resulted in the achievement of National Independence on November 11, 1975 and Peace on April 4, 2002, assets to be preserved to dignify the contribution of these men.
He said that these were very difficult times, so the spirit of sacrifice demonstrated by these heroes who fought in defense of the Fatherland will serve as an inspiration for generations living in an era of peace.
Gerdina Didalelwa asked the youth to seek to write their name in history, as they are more involved in actions that lead to the social and economic development of the country, as well as in preserving the gains achieved over the years.
For his part, the king of Ombala ya Nalueque, Mário Satipamba, said that according to history, this battle is the third in sub-Saharan Africa, others took place in Ethiopia and South Africa.
Mário Satipamba highlighted that the history of a people is an indelible mark and needs to be transmitted to present generations for its preservation and to serve as a witness for those to come.
The king of Ombala do Ovakuanhama, in Cunene, Jerónimo Haleinge, stressed that the bravery of the ancestors is an example for young people to continue helping the country grow, to honor the deeds of those who lost their lives in defense of the Angolan people.
The historical monument of the battle of Vau do Pembe, located 20 kilometers from the municipal headquarters of Ombadja, was reopened in September 2022, with a view to perpetuating the history of resistance against the Portuguese colonial occupation in the southern region of Angola.
History of the Kingdom of Ombala ya Nalueque
The kingdom began to be populated in the 15th century, probably when people came from the great lakes, with the aim of seeking better living conditions.
Among the characteristic features of its trajectory, the war of colonial resistance, which lasted 16 years, stands out.
In this particular, it highlights the battle recorded in 1891, in the town of Omdube yo Fenge, where the colonial invader was defeated.
Then, on September 25, 1904, the memorable battle of Vau do Pembe, considered the greatest defeat of the Portuguese colonial occupation in Africa.
The confrontation pitted a detachment of forces from the Portuguese army, commanded by Captain Luís Pinto de Almeida and Cuamato warriors, under the orders of King Oshietekela and resulted in the defeat of the Portuguese forces, who lost around 250 men, more than half of the force present.
This battle is one of the few African victories against a European power during the wars of colonial occupation, only paralleled by the Battle of Isandhlwana, won by the Zulus against the British in 1879, or the battle of Adoua won by the Ethiopians against the Italians in 1896.
119 years later, the battle of Vau do Pembe represents an important milestone in the history of Angola’s struggle against colonial occupation and the drastic moments experienced during this period.
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