Huambo – The Catholic missions of Santa Cruz do Canhe and Kuando, located in the municipality of Huambo, were recently elevated to National Cultural Heritage, within the framework of the Executive's policies for the preservation of Monuments and Sites.

The mission of Canhe, in the neighborhood of the same name, on the outskirts of the city of Huambo, was built in 1942, while Kuando, 20 kilometers from the center of this city was built in 1910.

The missions have an architecture that refers to the neo-Romanesque style, with features such as the raised central nave, common in Portuguese medieval religious buildings.

The information was provided to ANGOP on Friday by the director of the Office of Culture and Tourism in Huambo province, Jeremias Piedade Chissanga, on the occasion of the World Day for Monuments and Sites, which is celebrated today.

He said that the processes of classification of these two religious infrastructures of the Catholic Church will be released soon by the Ministry of Culture, with only a few technical details missing.

The official stressed that the classification of monuments and sites in Angola aims at their preservation, protection and cultural enhancement, in addition to promoting knowledge and education about the country's historical and cultural heritage.

When classified, he said, these places are protected by law, a fact that will prevent their degradation and destruction, thus constituting an important reference point for the understanding of Angolan history and culture, both for current and future generations.

He pointed out that the province of Huambo now has, with these achievements, 12 monuments and sites with legal protection, after being elevated to National Cultural Heritage, namely the Ombala do Huambo, the Kissala Fort, the Largo Doutor Agostinho Neto, the Fety Archaeological Station, all in the municipality of Huambo.

The list includes the Kandumbo stones (Chicala-Cholohanga), the cave paintings of the Kaniñguili stones (Mungo) and the Evangelical Mission of Dondi (Cachiungo), in addition to the Olundongo dance, a typical style of the Ovimbundo region, declared National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Jeremias Piedade Chissanga said that the National Cultural Heritage Mission is in the process of being recognized as the Catholic Mission of Hanga, the Evangelical Mission of Chilume (both in Bailundo), the Seventh-day Adventist Mission of Bongo (Longonjo), the Ombala Yo Mbalundu and Monte Halavala, whose processes have already been forwarded to the Ministry of Culture.

The official appealed to students of the History course, traditional authorities and citizens, in general, to disseminate and contribute to the preservation of the cultural identity of the province, to create better strategies for promotion and appreciation.

He highlighted man as one of the great assets of humanity, with the ability to create or destroy, to satisfy his needs, hence the need to transform these places into sources of economic diversification, without changing their configurations.

In total, the province of Huambo has 130 monuments and sites.

The World Day for Monuments and Sites, marked every year on April 18, was established by UNESCO, a United Nations body and the International Committee of this segment, with the aim of promoting monuments and historical sites, and valuing the national cultural heritage, while trying to raise awareness of the need for its protection and conservation. JSV/ALH/DOJ