Traditions and Identity. Angolan Culture in the Literary Works of Óscar Bento Ribas

Abstract

Angolan writer Óscar Bento Ribas has revealed the cultural customs and oral traditions of the Angolan people through traditional tales and poetry, which show the experiences of the population transmitted from generation to generation, where words originating from the Kimbundu language are recognized and disseminated. However, young people are unaware of this legacy that exalts native memories, uses and customs; this, the problem identified in this research is insufficient knowledge of literary works by national authors who have promoted angolan culture. This narrative motivated an investigation based on the following objective: to analyze literary works by Óscar Bento Ribas, in the sociocultural context of Angola at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The study was carried out using analytical-hermeneutic method, applied to documentary reviews of literary works, taking into account essays, short stories, novels, dramas and lyricism. The main theoretical references were: Neves (2008), Sousa (2010), Tindó (2010) and Calivala (2015), who dealt with different phases of the angolan writer´s life and work, with a view to publicizing his literary creation. The results obtained provide information on biographical data, orientations related to the narratives and a sociocultural approach to the author; who, through his writing, preserved and disseminated the identity characteristics and values of the nation, through a writing style that illustrated conversations, dialects, human relationships, mysticism, feelings, experiences and regional food surrounded by exuberant nature.