Lubango is the capital city of the province of Huíla,
which has an area or 75, 002 km2.Initially, with the Portuguese
colonization, Huila was included in the territory of Benguela and by a
decree law passed in April1849, was integrated in the District of
Moçâmedes (now called Namibe). The main
municipalities are Quilengues, Lubango, Humpata, Chibia, Chiange, Quipungo,
Caluquembe, Caconda, Chicomba, Matala, lamba, Chipindo and Kuvango.
The
municipality of Humpata has great tourist potential. It was where the
first colonies were set up, due to the natural beauty of the area.The Fenda do Alto Bambi, the
Cristo Rei Belvedere, the Barragens (Dams) das Neves show other spots
which are an absolute must for the tourist.
This region was discovered by the Boer colonizers on 4th January, 1881. It
was dec1ared a council (municipality) on 17th January, 1883. It has an
area of 1,261,250 km2 and around 60,000 in habitants. The main
economic activities are agriculture and rearing of stock.
The Huilana people
are divided into six ethniclinguistic groups: the Nyaneka, Nkhwnbi,
Umbundo, Nganguela, Cokwé (Quioco), Herero, non-Bantu. In the north of the
province, Caconda, Caluquembe, Chicomba and Chipindo the same version of
the Umbundu language is spoken, although there are certain regional
differences.
However, the most widely-spoken language in the province is
Olunyaneca-Nkwnbi.
The
first European contact with lands of the Tableland is dated from 1627. The
first tries of settlement were in Humpata by Boers about 1880. The Madeira
people appeared a bit later as Portuguese settlers and in January 1885
settled the colony of Sá da Bandeira. The progress of all the Tableland
became even more clear and Lubango assumed during years the role of
operations centre of Além-Cunene, having dominated administratively the
neighbour districts of Moçâmedes and Cunene during considerable periods of
time.
In 2 December 1901 the new district of Huila was created asa
consequence of the division of the district of Moçâmedes, with head-quarters
in Lubango that reached the category of village by an edict, getting the
name of Vila de Sá da Bandeira – paying tribute to the man that did so much
for the settlement of the Southern regions of Angola. Sá da Bandeira, the
capital of Huila, became city in 31 March 1923 when the railway road got at
last to the Tableland after crossing the desert and the Chela mountains.
The
European colonisation area was formed by a range of 60 km having its centre
in Chibia colony.
It as
also formed by the countries ofHumpata, Lubamgo and
Huila. The Huila Tableland, highly wooded, is one of the most picturesque
areas of all South and perhaps of all Angola because of its furrows of
natural fissures and little basins where one can find roads that link the
villages and where the water flows frenetically to the main rivers during
the rain season.
Agriculture was the first purpose of Sá da Bandeira and wheat became the
biggest production. Step by step, the settler observed that due to the
poverty of the soil, agriculture could not be practiced without fertilisers.
So, it became evident that to own cattle was more important that to own
lands. To the primitive settlers of Madeira were given by the government,
working cattle. The natives, traditionally breeders and owners of big herds
continued however to be the forming basis of the district.
The banks of the
rivers Caculevar and Cunene were considered appropriate areas for the
breeding of cattle. Like this appear the breeders whose activity made
big fortunes.
The ox became for
the settler a real symbol of richness, a status already used by the
natives. When transports became mechanical and roads were improved,
peace came quickly in a time of safety that corresponded to the
establishment of commerce. Industry came later on and grinding and
customs took the leadership.
Metallurgy, footwear, lard, sausage industry,
ceramics, woods and soft drinks became important. The arquitect’s João
António de Aguiar Urbanisation Plan was the biggest responsible for the
geometrical form that the city shows. Outside the circulation area of the
city, in its Western extreme there is the green space that corresponds to
the “Parque da Senhora do Monte” (Park of the Hill Lady), one of the main
symbols of the city.
In the Tableland relief of all the chain mountains,
there are many waterfalls from the rapids of Tunda-Vala, a few km from
Lubango, to the waterfall of Huila just near the village with that name,
including the Zoo Technical Station to the South and also Hunguéria. One can
find everywhere whispering water falling from slopes and forming little and
picturesque foamy water tables.
The
great number of waterfalls forms the landscape that surrounds Sá da Bandeira.
But the most photographed places are perhaps presently, the fissure of
Tunda-Vala and the Leba Hill with its incredible asphalt spiral. Further on
there are the great waterfalls of Ruacaná where all the Cunene torrent falls
suddenly into a geological fissure of more than 100 m of depth with an
incredible intensity.
To
get to Ruacaná waterfalls, one needs to cross the Donguena region and then
cross by difficult land, the sand rivers that run beside the Cunene. In this
animal paradise abounds hunt. The sands of the dry little rivers have marks
of wild animals and of the great herbivores, showing a prodigious, savage
and primitive life. And if the South is rich in animal species it is not
less from the ethnographic point of view.
Since
the primitive Bochiman, one of the most primitive examples of human species,
to the Mu-huila shepherd and the Ovampo warrior, Huila is an exceptional
interesting field for anthropologists and ethnographers.
Beyond the kindness
of its climate, the city has another proposal: centre of teaching. Sá da
Bandeira has recovers after Independence its primitive name of Lubango and
one may consider it today the less afflicted Angolan city during the years
of war, keeping its economic and social basis rather stabilised and its
great tendency for tourism.
How to get There
By air
The airport of Mucanca is the only one that links the province to
the rest of the country. There are various airlines that land at
Mocanca daily, among these TAAG, Sal and Air Gemine. There are
another three earth runways at lamba, Caluquembe and Matala, where
small aircraft coo land.
By road
The province of Huila is connected to other provinces by road,
namely Namibe, Huambo, Benguela and Cunene. Most of the roads are
undergoing construction works due to the armed conflict which
degraded them.
Natural attractions
Huila's fascinating countryside is displayed in the Leba
mountains, where a monument of Christ the King is to be built, in Tundavala, in
the Huila Waterfalls, Hunguéria, the cave and lagoon of Tchivinguiro, the
belvedere at the "Boca da Humpata", the belvedere of Crislo Rei (Christ the
King), the huts, caves and lakes at Ondimba, the Quipungo Lagoon.
Lubango is an absolute must for the visitor due to its many
places of interest, such as the 1st May Square, now remodeled.
Lubango is one of those places which simply cannot be missed,
where the tourist can appreciate the very best that Nature has to offer.
Nature Reserves
Bicuar Nature Reserve:
This was declared a hunting reserve on 16th April, 1938 and was upgraded to a
National Park on 16th December, 1964. It has an area on, 900 km2 and has a wide
variety of animais, for example elephants, lions, palanca, olongo and black
buffalo.
Guelengue e Dongo Forest Reserve:
This reserve has an area of 1,200 km2 and it is flanked on its
northem border by the River Chicusse, to the east by the Rivers Chissanda and
Cusso, to the south by the River Cussuvo, and to the west by the River Cunene.
Cultural tourism
The old Palácio do Governo (Government Palace) was built in
1887, the Municipal Council building being constructed at the turn of the
century, between 1900 and 1915. Another old building is the Huila Mission
Church, which dates back to 1880. The Barracões, a historic site where the
founders of Lubango are buried, was built between 1884 and 1885. The old
railway station is another interesting place to visit (1905 - 1923) and
the Hamilton Lopes building dates from 1895.
The province has a long list of interesting buildings, such
as the Mandume School Building, ex. Liceu Diogo Cão, the Colégio Paula
Frassinete building, built by the Dorotheian nuns in 1938, the
Tchivinguiro school and tbe AI. meida farnily house. Ali of these
buildings belong to the period between 1885 and 1938.
The province of Huila has several old churches, among which are
the following:
The Sé Catedral Church (Cathedral) (1939), the Chapel of Nossa
Senhora do Monte (1919), the Monumento Cristo Rei (Christ the King Monument) at
Ponta do Lubango (1945/1950), a Tchivinguiro Church (1892) and the Quihita
Church (1894).
There are also several interesting forts and prisons built by the
colonial power were
placed along the line of penetration into the territory, formed
by the River Caculevar and the Cunene Hydrographic basin, the aim being to
guarantee peace and security to the colonies which they set up.
More information
There are snack bars, beer houses, pastry shops, ice cream
parlours and yoghurt shops. The Cantinho da Gembrinha, is a must, a place which
serves as a meeting place for family and friends. You can try the local Ngola
beer here and numerous local dishes can be tasted, in a comfortable, agreeable
atmosphere in the open air.
There are four sports clubs in Huila, three sports centres, a
young entrepreneurs club, the Commercial, Industrial and Agricultural/Farming
Association (APCIL) plus hotelling associations.
Where to stay
COMPLEXO
TURÍSTICO ONDYELWA LODGE Tel.: 244 (61)
20159
GRANDE HOTEL DA
HUILA
Avenida Dr.
Agostinho Neto; Tel.: (061) 20512
HOTEL TURíSTICO
MUNHONGUERA LODGE
Tel.: (061) 20159
HOTEL IMPÉRIO
Rua Deolinda
Rodrigues - Lubango
Where to eat
RESTAURANTE
ACUBATA
N.S. Monte; Tel.:
(061) 20240
RESTAURANTE
RESTAURAÇÃO
Prédio do
Comércio Interno, Bairro comercial; Tel.: (061) 21947
News:
Huíla:
Poland To Invest In Mining Industry
Lubango, 10/19 - The ambassador of Poland to Angola, Evegen Resevusk,
said Monday in Lubango, southern Huila province, his country will invest
soon in the local mining industry.
Speaking after an audience granted to him by the provincial governor,
Ramos da Cruz, the diplomat said the investments will focus mainly on
the exploration of ornamental rocks and iron ore.
He said the cooperation will benefit both countries as, he added, Poland
is a country with a long tradition in mining industry activity.
Evegen Resevusk who would not say how much his country will invest,
stated that negotiations for prospecting will start this year.
Huila province has a huge mining potential, mainly for the production of
ornamental rocks. As to iron ore, the Kassinga mine, located in the
district of Jamba, has been out of operation for the last 25 years.
Ambassador Evegen Resevusk is closing today his 48-hour visit to Huila
Huila: Government Invests USD Six
Million In Rehabilitation Project
Lubango, 10/18 - The Angolan Government,
will soon invest more than USD six million in a community rehabilitation
programme of Cacula municipality, in Southern Huila province.
According to the local administrator, Aurelio Firmino dos Santos, this amount,
to be invested from a credit line granted by the Chinese Government, will be
mainly used in the construction of social and economic infra-structures in the
four communes of the district, located 38 kilometres off Lubango city.
``The sectors of Education, Health, Water and Energy will be the priority
areas``, he said.
The official added that the action aims to improve the living conditions of the
population, specially the most vulnerable ones.
Huila: Gov`t Invests USD 400,000 In
Repairing Of Hospital
Lubango, 10/04 - The
government of southern Huila province, is since early this year,
investing about USD 400,000 in the implementation of a project for the
rehabilitation of the only central hospital in the Gamboas district.
The fact was revealed at the weekend, by the deputy administrator of the
municipality, Elias Sova.
The source added that the project is part of the government`s public
investment programmes for this year and aims the complete rehabilitation
of the hospital, where are located the maternity, the paediatric and the
general services of medicine.
With a capacity to attend more than 200 patients, the hospital has four
internment rooms, a surgery room, rooms for urgencies and observations,
as well as an administrative area. The construction works will finish
yet this month.
Huíla: Acting Prime Minister Inaugurates Exhibition In
Lubango
Lubango, 08/18 - Angolan Acting Prime Minister, Osvaldo Serra Van-Dunem, will
inaugurate this Wednesday afternoon, in Lubango (southern Huila province), the
biggest business fair in the southern part of the country, which is to have the
participation of about a hundred national and foreign exhibitors.
Osvaldo Serra Van-Dunem, who is the country`s Home Minister, is heading a
governmental delegation that include bankers and politicians.
The Farming and Cattle-Raising Association, Trade and Industry of Huila (AAPCIL),
which is promoting the event, has guaranteed the presence of firms from South
Africa, Namibia and Portugal, as well as the confirmation of national companies
from the provinces of Uije, Benguela, Cunene and Namibe.
The main objective of this event is to promote entrepreneurial relations between
Angolans and attract foreign investiments in the province.
Some of the business sectors to be represented in this fair are the Civil
Construction, Motor Cars, Industry, Banking, and Information Technologies.
HUÍLA:
GOVERNMENT INVESTS USD 40 MILLIONS IN INFRASTRUCTURES
Lubango, 03/13 - Forty million Usd will be used as from this year by the
Government of southern Huíla province for the rehabilitation of the main
social infrastructures destroyed by the war in the region.
According to the provincial governor, Ramos da Cruz, the above mentioned
amount will be spent in two years, that is 20 million per year, and the
programme aims mainly at the recovery of health, education and public
administration infrastructures.
The rehabilitation of the infrastructures of energy, water, roads and
bridges, as well the recovery of the farming activity, are also included
in the programme that covers the province`s 14 districts.
A specific programme for the business sector, namely the construction one
will be implemented as well, with a view to the rapid development of the
localities more affected by the armed conflict, the source also said.
The amount was approved at the Cabinet Council Standing Commission meeting
that took place in November 2002, at Matala district.