Day Of King Amador
Day of King Amador is a public holiday in Sao Tome and Principe and commemorates Amador Vieira—a man who is seen as a king and who helped to mobilize Africans to escape the bonds of slavery and to create their own free kingdom. He led a slave rebellion in 1595 against the Portuguese and declared himself to be the king of Sao Tome and Principe.
Sao Tome and Principe (Public holiday)Between 1595 and 1596, the Angolars ruled the island of Sao Tome under Amador Vieira’s command. On January 4, 1596, the Portuguese captured him and sent him to prison, where they executed him. That’s why this holiday is observed every January 4th.
The Origin of the Angolars
It’s currently unknown how the Angolars came to inhabit the island of Sao Tome, but there are several origin stories about it. One of the most told stories is that the Angolars were African slaves who were brought from the mainland and survived a shipwreck about three miles off the southern coast of Sao Tome Island.
The second story is that the Angolars were slaves who evaded their owners sometime around 1470 when the Portuguese discovered Sao Tome and Principe. The final story is that the Angolars were Africans who immigrated to the islands before the Portuguese arrived.
Regardless of how the Angolars ended up in Sao Tome and Principe, it’s clear that Amador Vieira—also known as Rei Amador—led a slave rebellion in 1595 against the Portuguese and declared himself to be the king of the Angolars.
Observing Day of King Amador
This day is celebrated in Sao Tome and Principe to not only commemorate King Amador but also to commemorate the Maafa Slave Revolt against the Portuguese system of slavery.
Since it’s a public holiday, many schools, businesses, and government offices are closed on this day. It’s a day on which King Amador is celebrated, and island culture is embraced.
Sao Tome and Principe (Public holiday)
