Passion or Profession: writer, folklorist

Period: 1857–1894

Cordeiro da Matta wrote poetry, compiled proverbs, produced a Kimbundu-Portuguese dictionary, and completed a posthumously published history of Queen Jinga, entitled A Verdadeira História da Rainha Jinga (The True Story of Queen Jinga). He also contributed newspaper articles criticizing Portuguese rule of Angola. For his efforts to research Kimbundu culture and educate his countrypeople, he is regarded as a pioneer of Angolan literature.