National Museum of Anthropology
Museu Nacional de Antropologia
An ethnographic museum in a colonial mansion in the old lower town, holding masks, woodcarvings, musical instruments and artefacts from Angola's many peoples.
The National Museum of Anthropology occupies an 18th-century colonial mansion in the lower part of the old town and is the best place to learn about Angola's many ethnic cultures. Its thousands of items include ritual masks, woodcarvings, musical instruments, textiles, fishing and hunting tools and traditional jewellery from peoples such as the Chokwe and Bakongo. The most representative pieces are the Chokwe Mwana Pwo mask and 'The Thinker' woodcarving. The displays are fairly simple, and some labels are only in Portuguese, so ask staff for a guided explanation. Entry is cheap, the museum closes on Mondays, and it is about a 10-minute walk from Fortaleza de São Miguel.
Opening hours
Tue–Fri approx. 9:00–17:00; Sat morning
Nearby sights
- Cathedral of Our Lady of Remedies
- Church of Our Lady of Carmo
- Marginal de Luanda (Avenida 4 de Fevereiro)
- National Bank of Angola Building
- Fortress of São Miguel
- Iron Palace
- National Museum of Natural History
- Mausoleum of Agostinho Neto