Chokwe

Total population
1.16 million
Regions with significant populations
Angola, Congo (Kinshasa), Zambia
Languages
The Chokwe, many also speak French, Portuguese or English.
Religion
Christian, Animist
Related ethnic groups
Mbundu, Bantu Luba, Lunda, Lwena, Ovimbundu, Songo

The Chokwe are an ethnic group of Central Africa whose ancestry can perhaps be traced to Mbundu and Mbuti Pygmies. Large groups of Chokwe currently reside in Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their language is usually referred to as Chokwe, a Bantu language. Many also speak the official languages of their countries: English in Zambia, French in Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, and Portuguese (as first or second language) in Angola.

[edit] History

They were once one of the twelve clans of the great Lunda Empire of 17th and 18th century Angola. They eventually became independent when they refused to continue paying tribute to the Lunda emperor. Their successful trading and abundant resources caused them to be one of the wealthiest people groups in Angola. By 1900 the Chokwe had dismantled the Lunda kingdom altogether using guns they had traded for with the Ovimbundu. Chokwe language and influence then began to dominate northeastern Angola and spread among the Lunda peoples.

The Portuguese had virtually no contact with the Chokwe until the 1930s when the Chokwe traded wax, rubber and ivory. The Portuguese quickly brought an end to the dominance of the Chokwe people in the region.

[edit] Links

• Photo documents of chokwe art and information to other objects of african tribal art