“Angola Avante” (“Onwards Angola”) is the national anthem of Angola, composed by Ruy Mingas with lyrics written by Manuel Rui Alves Monteiro. It was officially adopted as the national anthem in November 1975, coinciding with Angola’s independence from Portugal. The lyrics of the anthem refer to significant events of the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), the ruling party since independence until 1992 when the country transitioned away from a one-party state.

In popular culture, the name of the national anthem is used as a nickname for an inter-community association football competition aimed at promoting sports activities in Angola and among Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) residents in Portugal. The tournament, held in Portugal in 2011 and 2013, featured teams from Brazil, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and São Tomé and Príncipe. The 2011 edition coincided with and celebrated the 36th anniversary of Angola’s independence.

Lyrics

Manuel Rui, the lyricist, is a well-known author affiliated with Angola’s Writer Union and Union of Artists and Composers. The anthem, entrenched under Article 164 of Angola’s constitution, has not changed proposals to modify it and other national symbols in light of the shift away from a one-party state.

The lyrics of “Angola Avante” focus on the progress and advancement of the country and its people into the future. The anthem has been noted for its martial tone, akin to “La Marseillaise.” The latter part of each verse is typically considered a refrain and is repeated, with the chorus also reiterated twice during each rendition.

Portuguese (official language)

I
Ó Pátria, nunca mais esqueceremos
Os heróis do quatro de Fevereiro.
Ó Pátria, nós saudamos os teus filhos
Tombados pela nossa Independência.
???? Honramos o passado e a nossa História,
Construindo no Trabalho o Homem novo. ????

Coro:
???? Angola, avante!
Revolução, pelo Poder Popular!
Pátria Unida, Liberdade,
Um só povo, uma só Nação! ????

II
Levantemos nossas vozes libertadas,
Para glória dos povos Africanos,
Marchemos combatentes Angolanos,
Solidários com os povos oprimidos,
???? Orgulhosos lutaremos pela Paz,
Com as forças progressistas do mundo. ????

Coro

English version

I
Oh Fatherland, we shall never forget
The heroes of the Fourth of February.
Oh Fatherland, we salute your children
Who died for our Independence.
???? We honour the past and our History,
As by our work we build the New Man. ????

Chorus:
???? Forward, Angola!
Revolution through the power of the People:
A United Country, Freedom,
One People, one Nation! ????

II
Let us raise our liberated voices
For the glory of the peoples of Africa.
We shall march, Angolan fighters,
In solidarity with oppressed peoples.
???? We shall fight proudly for Peace
Along with the progressive forces of the world. ????

Chorus