In Newly Launched Book, Angolan Catholic Priest Shares Insights into Language-Culture Relationship

The content of the book, he said, “comes from over 10 to 15 years of teaching language. I collected, edited, and refined class materials, and this work emerged from that process.”

The book, the Clergy of Angola’s Catholic Diocese of Benguela explained, is intended as a tool to access the “deep cultural identities embedded in language—identities often overlooked or diminished in post-colonial Africa.”

The Catholic Priest who teaches biblical languages, classical languages, exegesis, and ethnolinguistics at several institutions, including the Istituto Madonna delle Grazie in Benevento, Italy; the Good Shepherd Major Seminary in Benguela; the Jean Piaget Institute and the Catholic University of Benguela; and the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) in Nairobi, Kenya further addressed what he called “grey areas” in Africa’s post-independence development.

“One of the more uncomfortable truths is that, while we have gained political independence—and perhaps some economic autonomy—there are still other freedoms to fight for. These include freedom for our languages and cultures,” he said.

Fr. Tchimboto lamented that while Portuguese is increasingly emphasized in the education system, national African languages remain neglected. “This book serves as a resource to help promote and preserve our native languages and cultures,” he said.

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In his address during the May 12 book launch, Fr. Tchimboto said the book is grounded on three pillars: the importance of its title and themes, its origin, and its potential benefits. He traced the origin of the book to the need for deeper African perspectives.

“This book responds to a longstanding demand. As Kwame Nkrumah once said, we achieved political independence, but the rest would come later. Unfortunately, that ‘later’ has lasted over 50 years—and some things are still unresolved,” he said.

The Catholic Priest expressed concern about colonial mindsets persisting in many aspects of African life, especially concerning language and culture. “Linguistic and cultural liberation is an essential step in achieving full emancipation,” he said.

Fr. Tchimboto expressed the hope that the book will inspire renewed pride in African identity. He said, “This book was born out of a dream—to contribute to the decolonization of the mind, to strengthen cultural and philosophical independence in Africa.”

“What we hope is that this book contributes to linguistic awareness and rekindles love for what is national, what is Angolan, what is African. Though the title speaks of languages and cultures, make no mistake: these are African cultures,” Fr. Tchimboto said.