This post features the musical instrument stamp set from Angola in 1991. Sets of instruments are very popular features from countries around the world. On this blog, you can see sets from Thailand, Gabon, Norway, El Salvador, Papua New Guinea, among others.
It seems clear that there are multiple purposes for such sets. Firstly, they typically celebrate the culture of a country. Secondly, they can help to create a sense of national unity through pride of this culture. Thirdly, they can highlight the traditions of different, sometimes minority, ethnic groups. Finally, I think that there is also an aesthetic reason. Such sets have a natural cohesion that can be easily identifiable as a part of a set.
Instruments Stamps of 1991
The four stamps from Angola in 1991 are quite beautiful, each with a single instrument in silhouette against a warm cream-color background. The stamps are the design of the Angolan artist Arlete Marques. Further, the stamps were printed by the Litografia Nacional S. A., Porto. The stamps became available for purchase on April 5, 1991. Scott gives the set a single number (799a-d), instead of giving each stamp a sequential number. Each of the stamps has a value of 6 Angolan Kwanza.
Marimba
The first stamp in the set features a xylophone from Angola with the name marimba. There are a few identifiable features of marimbas from Angola. In particular ,the marimbas of Angola have gourd resonators that are long and skinny. The bars are not flat, but instead tend to curve up on the ends. The instrument is either worn on a strap (visible on the stamp) or the players prop it on the ground. The instrument can be played by a single musician, or occasionally by two or even three players at the same time.
Mucupela
The second stamp features a drum from the Chokwe people, the largest ethnic group within Angola. The drum has an hourglass shape and two heads, tacks holding the skin heads in place on either end. There are four handles on the center of the body. Additionally, geometric carvings cover the surfaces of the drum body itself. Also in the center is a round hole, in which a vibrating device is placed. Typically, this is made of aneck from a gourd with a spider-egg sack stretched across. When a player beats the drum, this device creates a buzzing sound.
According to the Hartenberger collection, traditionally the instrument was the province of the court. It was an announcement drum, played to herald the chief’s arrival. The drum also had use in men’s initiation ceremonies. However, today such drums play to accompany dancing.
Ngoma
The third stamp in the set features another drum, this one with a single head and resting on an integrally carved stand, or foot. On the stamp the drum has the name Ngoma la Txina. The word ngoma means drum in many cultures across Africa. The example on the stamp shows a drum with a body that has large carvings of human faces, stylistically matching those of Chokwe masks. Unusually, not all of the fur is removed from the skin head. While the top playing surface is smooth, the fur remains on the collar where the head is attached by wooden pegs to the drum shell.
Kissange
The last of the set of four stamps features an mbira (thumb piano), or more specifically, the kissange. This type of instrument is a lamellaphone, with small metal keys that a player plucks with their thumbs while holding onto the wood body. It is similar to instruments found throughout Africa. Each key is a different length, to create a different tone. The longest, lowest, tone is in the middle, with slightly shorter, higher notes to either side.
As always, make sure to try and check out some of these instruments! Here is a fun video of an Angolan marimba player accompanying dancing.
