Angolans celebrate their national day

Abu Dhabi: Angolans in the UAE say they miss the food of their homeland, but the traditional UAE music caters to their artistic taste.

"I found it hard without Angolan food [in restaurants] when I reached Dubai one year ago, but I forgot that problem when I fell in love with the traditional UAE music," said Aristides Chipenda, 33, who works as an administrative assistant.

"Now I don't bother about my traditional food," he said. He said he enjoys listening to traditional UAE music on the radio and television. "I always find it [music] in taxis and restaurants too," Chipenda said.

He spoke to Gulf News on the sidelines of a reception hosted by the Angolan Embassy in Abu Dhabi to celebrate the 34th National Day of Angola.

"Old Arabic songs have been my refuge in the UAE," said Ilidio Paulo, 54, an administrative assistant who reached the UAE in 2005.

"I also appreciate the rare opportunity to enjoy various traditional dances like belly dancing," said Paulo, who lives with his family in Dubai.

Angolan Ambassador Rui Jorge Carneiro Mangueira, who addressed the gathering, said that since the opening of the Angolan Embassy in Abu Dhabi in 2008, he had received support from various departments of the UAE Government and major national and international companies to achieve the objective of building bridges between the two countries.

About 100 Angolans live in the UAE, mostly in Dubai, said Manuel Mateus Caterca, a counsellor at the embassy.

Members of the Angolan community said they always celebrated National Day with great fervour as it marked the end of colonial rule 34 years ago. "Freedom from colonial rule gave us the opportunity to dream of building our own destiny. Now we dream of making our country one of the developed nations," Chipenda said.