Paper short abstract:

In this paper I propose a preliminary approach to how religious movements of Bakongo origin have been key actors in the shaping of certain notorious neighbourhoods in Luanda (Palanca and the Terra Nova or Congolenses).

Paper long abstract:

In this paper I propose a preliminary approach to how religious movements of Bakongo origin have been key actors in the demographic, economic and cultural shaping of certain notorious neighbourhoods in Luanda (namely Palanca and the Terra Nova or Congolenses). Through a description of two such phenomena - the 'Tokoist Church' and the so-called mpeve ya nlongo (Holy Spirit) movements - I will debate two questions: what are the national and transnational mobilities associated to such historical and contemporary processes; and what are the consequent 'territorializations' - i.e. identitary and political belongings and distinctions - that emerge within such processes.