Dundo - The ethno mathematical art of "Sona", a symbol of the Tchokwe culture in eastern region of Angola, was classified on Tuesday as Intangible Cultural Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Sona is Angola’s second World Heritage, after the historic centre of the Mbanza Kongo city in northern Angola received the same designation by UNESCO in 2017.
Mbanza Kongo was the capital of the most powerful state in the southern region of Africa, influencing many other neighboring states economically and politically at the time.
The art of "Sona" will become the second Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity related to maths, following the one that belongs to China.
The announcement was made during the 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage taking place since December 3 in Botswana, where Angola is being represented by a delegation coordinated by the Secretary of State for Culture, Maria de Jesus.
Maria de Jesus highlighted the improvement in the approval criteria, since there has been an increase in the number of African heritage sites inscribed, which reduces the under-representation of the African countries.
The Angolan official called for greater cooperation between countries and institutions to minimize the existing distance and make everyone feel properly represented on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
UNESCO, the Secretary of State said, should look for ways to ensure ongoing technical and financial assistance to strengthen the capacity of institutions in countries that need it, with the aim of achieving a balanced representation that highlights the cultural richness of developing countries.
"The intangible cultural heritage of each African country is extremely important for World Cultural Heritage, having a significant impact on communities and peoples in general, and therefore deserves to be publicized," Maria de Jesus said.
The 18th session UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage running until Sunday will assess applications for the registration of 55 new elements submitted by 72 member states.
"Sona"
Sona, which means writing in the sand, was a form of communication of the ancestors of the eastern region of Angola, predominated by the Tchokwe people, who wrote messages through engravings on the walls of houses, trees and on the ground (sand) in the villages, to be deciphered by the other members of the community.
These engravings (Sona), which are difficult to understand, are currently in the Dundo Museum and in a book that deals with Bantu culture and has already been portrayed in the film "The Gods of Water", co-produced by Argentina and Angola in 2013.
Recent research indicates that, at the time the film was produced, there was only one elder, an employee of the Dundo Museum, who still practiced Sona and who was one of the local actors in the film.
Currently, there are more than 10 scientific works published in various parts of the world portraying the Sona and none in Angola.HD/DAN/AMP
