Sao Tome and Principe: Africa Negra-Aninha

Sao Tome e Principe 1981

Aninha by Conjunto Africa Negra (better known as Africa Negra)

Sao Tome and Principle is an island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Africa. The islands were historically important because they served as way stations for slave traders traveling between the Kongo and the Gold Coast. As such, Sao Tome and Principe is a culturally diverse place and is home to various African ethnicities and Afro-Portuguese descendents.

The song "12 de Julho" or in English, the 12th of July, refers to the date when Sao Tome and Principe became an independent nation, severing it's colonial ties with Portugal. Following the end of the colonial era, the Marxist MLSTP party took control of the government, nationalized plantations and aligned itself with the communist bloc. The early music of Africa Negra is full of the optimism of its' new found independence and socialist experiment. Songs like "12 de Julho" and "Camarada Neto", an ode to Agostinho Neto, the first President of Socialist Angola, reflect these heady days of African socialism and its' vibrant militancy.

The music from Sao Tome and Principle is like no other. It has influences from West and Central Africa and is sung in Portuguese and Portuguese-based creoles Forro, Angolar and Principense. Enjoy these rare tracks!!! If you like this music you can order Africa Negra CD's and more from Kizomba. Pricey but worth it.

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