Luanda – Brazilian journalist and writer, Roberto Leal, has launched the magazine entitled “Òmnira”, as part of Queen Njinga Mbande's 440th birthday.
The 32-page work aims to pay homage to this prominent figure in the history of Angola and was presented on Wednesday (June 19), in Luanda.
The book was initially launched in the states of Baia and São Paulo, in Brazil, in 2022.
The sales and autograph session began with a song by Rui Mingas (Angolan Singer who passed away on Jan 4, 2024), entitled “Muxima”, performed by the Angolan musician António Morango, followed by recitations by the poets Ismael Farinha, Poeta Gago do Musseque, Ray, Wende Bocado, Lesliana Ngola and Quereni Pedro.
Roberto Leal said that he intends to contribute to the expansion of the queen's story to the Brazilian people, mainly to those who are not yet aware of it.
In the work, the author addresses the period of slavery, the belief in black magic and the protagonist's love life.
The Brazilian journalist also said that the story of the founder of Reino da Matamba is widely studied in schools in Brazil, as well as in Black communities.
ANGOLÊS dictionary
On the occasion, writer Roberto Leal also presented the “Dicionário de “ANGOLÊS”, a work launched in 2023 in Brazil, which addresses the meanings of Angolan jargon and slang words.
The writter, who came to the country for the first time in 2014, said that the research lasted around five years to compile page by page the most used expressions at national level.
Journalist, writer, photographer, editor, cultural activist and speaker, Roberto Leal is the author, among many titles, of “Cárcere de Poemas”, released in 2000, “C'alô & Outros Poemas” (2012) and “C'álô & Crónicas Feridas” (2015), all published by Òmnira.
He has edited and published more than 600 works, including poetry, short stories, chronicles and articles.
AMC/OHA/CF/jmc
