Happy Independence Day Sao Tome and Principe

“You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair” - Sao Tomean Proverb

(Sao Tome and Principe flag (1975-Present))

Sao Tome and Principe are a group of 2 islands off the west coast of Africa.

(Map of where Sao Tome and Principe is located)

Its capital is Sao Tome. Sao Tome is also its largest city. The official language is Portuguese. The country is 372 square miles. Sao Tome and Principe is 90% African, 7% European and 3% Asian. 82.1% of Sao Tome and Principe practice Christianity, 8.95% practice Islam and 8.95% are atheist. The total population is 190,428. The climate is tropical. Sao Tome and Principe is a unitary semi presidential republic.

(Sao Tome)

Sao Tome and Principe cuisine consists of fish, seafood, beans, maize and cooked banana.

(Sao Tome and Principe cuisine)

Sao Tome and Principe music consist of ússua and socopé rhythms with the dêxa beat.

(Sao Tomean musicians)

Sao Tome and Principe’s most popular sport is soccer.

(Sao Tome and Principe soccer game)

The islands were 1st uninhabited. In 1470 the Portuguese came to the islands.

(Portuguese forts in Sao Tome)

In the mid 16th century due to the Portuguese import of Africans as slaves Sao Tome and Principe became Africa's foremost exporter of sugar.

(A painting of slavery in Sao Tome and Principe)

The large slave population proved difficult to control, with Portugal unable to invest many resources in the effort. In the mid 17th century the country was primarily a transit point for ships engaged in the slave trade between the West and continental Africa. In 1876 slavery was abolished. Portuguese plantation managers abused their African farm workers and they were still forced to work with no pay. In 1908 Sao Tome had become the world's largest producer of cocoa. In 1953 several hundred African laborers were killed in a clash with their Portuguese rulers. It was called the "Batepá Massacre".

(The portuguese that participated in the “Batepa Massacre”)

In the late 1950’s a small group of São Toméans had formed the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe (MLSTP). In 1974 the representatives from Portugal met with the MLSTP in Algiers and worked out an agreement for the transfer of sovereignty.

(The meeting between the MLSTP and reps. From Portugal)

On July 12th, 1975 Sao Tome and Principe gained its independence.

(Sao Tome and Principe’s flag (1975-Present))

Secretary General Manuel Pinto da Costa became the 1st president.

(Manuel Pinto da Costa)

In 1990 Sao Tome became one of the first African countries to undergo democratic reform. In 1996 Miguel Trovoada became president.

(Miguel Trovoada)

In 2001 Fradique de Menezes became president. In 2009 there was an attempted coup d'état to overthrow President Fradique de Menezes.

(Fradique de Menezes)

In 2011 São Tomé and Príncipe was ranked the 174th safest investment destination in the world. Today marks the 42nd anniversary of Sao Tome and Principe’s independence and we would like to say happy independence day Sao Tome and Principe.

Videos of Sao Tome and Principe Independence

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TwLAT6bU74  “Sao Tome and Principe two beautiful island”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqAg38iLV7g  “Sao Tome dancers - Women and children dance for visitors”