Sumbe (ancient settlement)

Sumbe, also known historically as Novo Redondo, was a significant settlement located on the Atlantic coast of Angola. It served as an important trading post and administrative center, particularly during the period of Portuguese colonization.

Historically, Sumbe predates the arrival of the Portuguese, having been a local settlement inhabited by indigenous populations. The strategic coastal location made it a valuable point for trade, attracting both local and European interests.

With the arrival of the Portuguese, Sumbe (then Novo Redondo) became a crucial link in the slave trade. Slaves were forcibly brought to Sumbe from the interior of Angola and then shipped across the Atlantic Ocean. Besides slaves, the settlement was also involved in the trade of other goods, including ivory and agricultural products.

Under Portuguese rule, Sumbe was developed with infrastructure that supported its role as a trading hub and administrative center. This included fortifications, trading houses, and churches. The settlement experienced a degree of urbanization and became a center for Portuguese cultural influence in the region.

Following Angola's independence, the name of the settlement was changed from Novo Redondo back to Sumbe. It has remained a significant city in Angola, serving as the capital of Cuanza Sul Province. While the city has undergone modernization, vestiges of its colonial past are still visible in its architecture and urban layout. Its economy is now based on fishing, agriculture, and increasingly, tourism.