Sao Tome and Principe

São Tomé and Príncipe is an Atlantic island nation of Creole culture, dance theatre, cacao craft and song.

Music & dance Spirituality & rites Nature & herbalism Food & cooking Language & oral

Knowledge in this place

Tchiloli dance theatre

Tchiloli dance theatre

Tchiloli is a masked sung-and-danced drama retelling a medieval European tale.

Danço Congo dance

Danço Congo dance

Danço Congo is a costumed dance drama mixing African and colonial-era figures.

Spirituality & rites

Island cacao craft

Island cacao craft

Islanders ferment and dry fine cacao beans grown on the volcanic plantations.

Nature & herbalism

Calulu cooking

Calulu cooking

Calulu simmers fish or meat with leafy greens, okra and palm oil over banana.

Forro Creole

Forro Creole

Forro, a Portuguese-based creole, is the islands' main mother tongue.

Language & oral