Cela Settlement: The Building of a Community in Angola

The Cela Settlement

The Cela Settlement, located on the Waku Kungo plateau in Cuanza Sul, was one of the main symbols of agricultural and demographic development in Angola during the period when the territory was considered an overseas province of Portugal. Founded in the 1950s as part of an ambitious plan by the Estado Novo to promote large-scale colonization and agricultural modernization, this project aimed to transform vast unexplored areas into centers of productive excellence, providing opportunities for Portuguese families who settled there.

The Estado Novo's Vision for Angola

Territorial and Demographic Expansion

In the 1950s, the Salazar regime was committed to consolidating Portugal's dominance over its overseas territories. The integration of Angola as an overseas province in 1951 reinforced the intention to create agricultural settlements and promote Portuguese settlement in the most fertile regions of the territory. The Cela Settlement was one of several initiatives promoted by the government, aimed at using Angola's vast lands to increase agricultural production while ensuring a strong and permanent Portuguese presence.

The Agricultural Colonization Project

The agricultural colonization policy had a clear economic and social integration aspect. It was part of a strategy to attract Portuguese families by offering them land for cultivation, along with technical and logistical support. These families, many from the mainland, did not see Angola as a distant colony but as an extension of their own country. This spirit of "continuation of overseas Portugal" was fostered by the government, which promoted the idea that working in Angola was a direct contribution to the development of the Portuguese empire.

Santa Comba - Cela (Waku Kungo): The Choice of Region

Geographical Conditions of the Plateau

The choice of Santa Comba - Cela (Waku Kungo) for the establishment of the Cela Settlement was not accidental. The Cuanza Sul plateau offered favorable conditions for agriculture, with vast plains, moderate altitude, and a relatively mild climate, especially compared to Angola's coastal regions. These conditions made the region ideal for growing cereals, vegetables, and raising livestock.

Additionally, the proximity to important transportation routes facilitated the distribution of agricultural produce to major urban centers such as Luanda and Benguela. The strategic location of the plateau, in the heart of Angola, made Waku Kungo a central point for agricultural development and a promising site for Portuguese families to establish themselves.

The Early Steps in Creating the Settlement

In the early years, newly arrived families encountered vast, unexplored land with few infrastructures. Transforming this natural landscape into arable land required enormous collective effort. Basic equipment was distributed to the families, and draft animals such as oxen and donkeys were used to plow the fields and prepare the land. Gradually, the settlement took shape, with dirt roads, artesian wells, and houses arranged in rows.

The Importance of the First Families

The first families to arrive at the Cela Settlement faced considerable challenges but also brought with them an unwavering determination to build a better future. With the support of the Portuguese government, which provided tools, building materials, and plots of land, these families laid the foundation for a prosperous community. In return, they were expected to contribute to Angola's agricultural production, reinforcing the idea that each settler was part of a larger project of development and self-sufficiency.

The Transformation of the Land

The Challenge of Cultivating the Land

Agricultural work at the Cela Settlement was a complex undertaking that required a combination of traditional and modern techniques. Much of the land designated for cultivation was initially covered by dense vegetation, which had to be cleared before any planting could occur. This process of "land clearing" was carried out largely manually, with the help of draft animals.

The first crops planted included maize, beans, wheat, and coffee, which adapted well to the plateau's conditions. These crops were essential for ensuring the families' subsistence and creating surpluses that could be traded both locally and in larger cities in Angola.

The Introduction of Innovative Techniques

As the settlement grew, new agricultural techniques were implemented, many of which were brought from Portugal. The introduction of crop rotation practices, irrigation with artesian wells, and artificial insemination to improve livestock production are examples of these innovations. These practices were crucial for increasing land productivity and ensuring the economic viability of the settlement.

The first Cela Agro-Livestock Fair, held in 1967, highlighted the advances made in areas such as livestock and large-scale farming. This event marked a new era for the settlement, attracting attention from other agricultural centers in Angola and positioning Cela as a model of success.

Community Life and Solidarity

The Formation of a United Community

From the beginning, the Cela Settlement developed with a strong sense of community, where cooperation among families was essential to the project's success. Newly arrived families quickly realized that working together was the key to overcoming the daily challenges they faced. This unity became a central feature of the settlement, evident in both fieldwork and social life.

The bonds among residents were strengthened by the need for mutual support in all aspects of life. Whether helping with harvests, building homes, or even in festivities and religious celebrations, the inhabitants of the settlement built a network of solidarity that provided security and comfort. Images depicting men and women working side by side in the fields, as well as children playing on dirt streets, reflect this spirit of cooperation that defined life in the Cela Settlement.

Festivities and Religious Celebrations

Catholicism played a central role in the social and spiritual lives of the families in the Cela Settlement. The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, whose granite was transported by the settlers themselves, emerged as the community's main gathering point. This church, with its imposing architecture, became the spiritual heart of the settlement, where masses, processions, and religious events were frequently held.

One of the most notable traditions was the annual religious processions, where residents gathered around the church and walked through the settlement's streets in honor of the saints. On these occasions, the streets were decorated with flowers, and families dressed more festively, reinforcing the sense of belonging and collective identity. First communions, as shown in some images, were also significant moments for families, a rite of passage celebrated with great enthusiasm.

Additionally, events like weddings and baptisms united the community in moments of celebration. These religious and social events not only reinforced the Catholic faith but also helped create an emotional and spiritual support network among the families, who shared life in Angola with a strong sense of purpose and hope.

Social Infrastructure: Schools and Services

The development of the Cela Settlement was not limited to agricultural production. The creation of schools, hospitals, and community centers was crucial to ensuring the quality of life for its inhabitants. The Cela Hospital, as seen in photographs, was a key piece in providing healthcare for the families living there. Although modest compared to European standards of the time, the hospital offered essential medical services, treating tropical diseases and ensuring safe childbirth.

Primary schools also played a vital role in educating the younger generations. With the settlement's growing population, it was necessary to establish educational institutions that followed the Portuguese education model. Children attended these schools, where they learned to read and write in Portuguese while preparing to contribute to the community's future development.

Teachers, often coming from the mainland, played a crucial role in the children's upbringing, instilling in them the values of Portuguese culture and the Catholic faith. Formal education in the Cela Settlement represented hope for families, who saw schooling as an opportunity to improve their children's lives and open doors to new opportunities.

Agricultural Challenges and Innovations

Adapting to the Climate and Soil

Transforming the vastness of the Waku Kungo plateau into fertile land was a daunting task. Although the region was known for its good agricultural conditions, settlers had to quickly adapt to the realities of the Angolan climate. The alternation between dry seasons and heavy rains posed challenges in maintaining consistent harvests.

The soil, in some areas, also required specific techniques to ensure maximum productivity. The early years were marked by trial and error as families explored the best ways to cultivate maize, beans, wheat, and coffee. Some crops thrived, while others struggled due to climate variation.

Technical Innovations and the First Agro-Livestock Fair

As the settlement expanded, the Portuguese government, along with local farmers, began introducing technological innovations to help overcome many of the agricultural challenges. Irrigation, initially reliant on artesian wells, was modernized in some areas, allowing cultivation during dry periods. Livestock farming also saw innovations, such as artificial insemination, aimed at improving livestock quality.

The first Cela Agro-Livestock Fair, held in 1967, was a milestone in this development. The event showcased the progress made in the region and attracted attention from other agricultural zones in Angola. This fair not only presented agricultural and livestock innovations but also reinforced Cela's importance as an exemplary production center. Images of the event show the pride of local inhabitants, who saw the settlement as a source of pride and progress.

The Role of Animals in Agricultural Success

Animals played a central role in the success of the Cela Settlement. Oxen, donkeys, and mules were used to plow the land and transport heavy loads of hay, cereals, and other products. Images of carts being pulled by oxen along dirt roads reflect the dependence on these animals for the settlement's agricultural success.

Additionally, livestock farming was essential for the families' subsistence. Milk, meat, and other products were crucial to local nutrition, and animals also provided an additional source of income, with the sale of cattle and dairy products to markets in larger cities.

Conclusion

The Cela Settlement was more than just an agricultural project; it was the realization of a dream of development and progress in a land of vast potential. The families who lived there not only built new lives for themselves but also contributed significantly to Angola's development as a Portuguese overseas province. Life in the settlement was marked by constant challenges, but also by a deep sense of community, cooperation, and hope for the future.

The remaining images from that time capture the indomitable spirit of a united community that transformed unexplored lands into fertile fields and built a vibrant society in the heart of Angola. The legacy of the Cela Settlement remains a story of perseverance, innovation, and solidarity, an example of how determination can transform landscapes and lives.