São Tomé Day 2023: São Tomé Day, also known as Dia de São Tomé, is observed on December 21st of each year. It commemorates the initial European settlement’s entrance on the island in 1471. So Tomé is the Portuguese name for the feast day of Saint Thomas, which is December 21. Originally designated ‘Santo Antão’ or Saint Anthony, the appellation was subsequently altered to Príncipe as a tribute to the Prince of Portugal. The inhabitants of the island commemorate this momentous occasion with dancing and music.
São Tomé Day History
São Tomé and Príncipe, located in the Gulf of Guinea, is the second-smallest country in Africa. In pursuit of a trade route to India and the Near East, Portuguese explorers encountered them while circumnavigating the coast of Africa in the late 15th century. The dates of their arrival were December 21 for São Tomé and January 17 for Príncipe. Both islands were devoid of human inhabitants at the time of their arrival. To facilitate trade with the African continent, they served as viable bases; in 1493, the first prosperous So Tomé settlement was established.
Degredados, or “undesirables,” were transported from Portugal, and African slaves compelled to labor on sugar plantations comprised the island populations. Later on, coffee and cacao supplanted sugar. During the 1890s, cacao emerged as the predominant cash commodity. It was, for some time, the largest cacao producer in the globe. Although slavery was officially abolished in 1852, plantation labor continued to be sourced from Angola until 1910.
A decline in cocoa production following World War II led to the isolation of the islands. On the plantations owned by corporations, brutality, and corruption were pervasive. As a result of forcing local “Forros,” or emancipated men, to labor on the plantations, the Batepá Massacre occurred in 1953. Violence was unmistakably prevalent during the Portuguese era. In 1972, the Committee for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe (São Tomé and Príncipe) underwent a name change to the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe (M.L.S.T.P.). MLSTP was founded in 1960.
The new government in Portugal consented to transfer power to the M.L.S.T.P. the year following the 1974 coup d’état. The majority of colonists were repatriated to Portugal, and on July 12, 1975, independence was declared.
São Tomé Day 2023 FAQs
What made So Tomé so significant?
It emerged as a paradigm for subsequent island plantation societies that emerged in various regions of the West Indies by the mid-16th century. This was because, at the time, it was the leading exporter of sugar produced using slave labor in Africa.
In So Tomé, what language is the local dialect?
The majority of the populace is fluent in Portuguese, the official language of the country. Forro, Angular, Tonga, and Principense are Portuguese or Portuguese Creole languages that have undergone local restructuring.
In terms of safety, what are So Tomé and Príncipe like?
It is an extremely secure location for tourists to visit. Weak violent crime is prevalent, and armed robberies and assaults are exceedingly uncommon.
São Tomé Day 2023 Activities
Discover the past of So Tomé
Explore the historical roots of one of the most diminutive nations in Africa. Its history consists of a period of desolation, European colonial rule with slave plantations, and eventual independence; it is a compelling read.
Consume some confectionary.
In remembrance of the former principal export of So Tomé and Guione, indulge in one or two pieces of chocolate. A special occasion necessitates unique chocolate. A high percentage of cocoa solids and no more than six constituents are desirable qualities.
Utilize sucrose to energize your day.
Before cacao became the dominant crop in So Tomé, sugar was the monarch. To begin the day, infuse your coffee or tea with a touch of flavor. Bear in mind that a little bit will go a long way!
Five Peculiar Details about São Tomé Day
Absence of a UNESCO World Heritage
São Tomé and Príncipe are among the 27 nations that do not possess a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Unique among all chocolate makers is one.
A nation that was once renowned for its chocolate industry now has only one remaining chocolatier: Claudio Corallo, whose products are distributed to upscale retailers and chefs across the globe.
No hazardous animals exist.
In contrast to mainland Africa, the forest of São Tomé is devoid of perilous spiders, snakes, tigers, or lions.
The populace was established through servitude.
An extensive lineage of the nation originated from individuals who were enslaved in West Africa and extended as far as Angola.
A mountain range composed of dormant volcanoes
It shares the Cameroonian volcanic mountain range with Bioko and Annobón, among other islands.
SÃO TOMÉ DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | December 21 | Thursday |
| 2024 | December 21 | Saturday |
| 2025 | December 21 | Sunday |
| 2026 | December 21 | Monday |
| 2027 | December 21 | Tuesday |
