With a rich history, full of universal appeal, São Tomé e Príncipe is a veritable mosaic of culture. The Saotomean population descends both from the Portuguese and natives of the Gulf of Guinea, Angola, Cape Verde and Mozambique. That accounts for its thriving, variegated culture (the rich folklore, language, dance forms, music, rituals and cuisine).
The architecture is a must-see. Remarkable specimens are the São Sebastião fortress, the Santa Sé cathedral (Igreja da Sé), right beside the Palácio Presidencial (Presidential Palace), the Arquivo Histórico (Historical Archive). Most of these date from the baroque period, a predominant style. The capital's museum possui owns a collection of religious art and has painstakingly reconstituted examples of interior decoration in the colonial era.
Popular rituals and worship take place year-round; there are many catholic festivities as well as pagan ones, jazzing up the streets in cities, towns and luchans.
Among several forms of cultural expression in the archipelago, we should point out the authentic Socopé (a word derived from the portuguese phrase 'only with your foot'), the Ússua, Puita, Djambi, the Tchiloli, Bligá, Stleva, Quiná, Vindes Meninos, Dêxa, Auto of Floripes, among others.
The visual arts are somewhat new to S. Tomé e Príncipe. There is no lack, however, of talented painters, sculptors and craftsmen. You can find their work in many a place: in São Tomé at the Teia D'arte gallery, at the São João farm, at the Santa Casa da Misericórdia. As for traditional handicrafts, there is a sales outlet right beside the Miramar hotel. Several hotel, restaurants and bars propõem hold exhibits and marketplaces for art.
Should you wish to find out more about Saotomean culture, whether you care more for the visual arts or for literature, feel free to call the following organizations, who will be happy to provide guidance:
- AAPLAS -Associação de Artistas Plásticos de São Tomé e Príncipe (Association of Visual Artists of São Tomé and Príncipe)
- CIAC - Centro Internacional de Arte e de Cultura (International Center for Art and Culture)
Phone +239.22 51 35 - Rua Mártires da Liberdade - São Tomé - UNEAS - União Nacional de Escritores e Artistas de São Tomé e Príncipe (National Union of Writers and Artists of São Tomé)
Phone +239.22 24 83 - Rua do Município - São Tomé - Biblioteca Nacional (National Library) - Phone +239.22 60 13 - Praça da Cultura - São Tomé
- Alliance Française - Phone +239.24 23 00 - Rua Gago Coutinho - São Tomé
- Instituto Camões (Camões Institute)- - B° Quinta Santo António - São Tomé
- Centro Cultural Português (Portuguese Cultural Center)- Rua Soldado Paulo Ferreira - São Tomé
- Casa da Cultura (House of Culture)- Rua do Município - São Tomé
- Arquivo Histórico (Historical Archive)- Praça da Cultura - São Tomé