Una Lengua Infinita presented the new song “Sofrimento,” a piece born from the dialogue between music and literature. True to the spirit of the project, where inspiration often springs from poems and novels, this me the creative spark was ignited by reading “Nosotros, los de Makulusu” (“We, the People of Makulusu”) by José Luandino Vieira. Within its pages, the great songs of Waldemar Bastos seem to provide a natural soundtrack, and it was
“Sofrimento” ultimately stood out and inspired Camila’s own version, recorded just two days later. “Sofrimento” is music in its purest form: the voice and the spartan accompaniment of the cuatro—a small four-stringed instrument—are all it takes to unleash a magical and moving force.
The novel “We, the People of Makulusu” captivates, surprises, and moves with its beautiful prose. Set in an Angola marked by suffering and the struggle for independence, the story evokes the shared childhood of four friends, united by loyalty beyond race or social class. Vieira masterfully portrays inequality, urban poverty, and the awakening of political consciousness, while celebrating the strength, identity, and cultural and linguistic richness of Angola. Blending the country’s oral and written traditions and using Angolan Portuguese expressions, the author breaks the silence imposed by colonization and invites us to reflect on memory, resistance, and hope.
“Sofrimento” accompanies and amplifies the message of the novel, celebrating friendship, resilience, and the cultural richness of Angola.
