Muxima is a town and
commune in the municipality of
Quiçama,
Icolo e Bengo Province, Angola. The village, located by Kwanza river, was occupied in 1589 by the Portuguese who erected a church and a fortress in 1599. Muxima means "
heart
The heart is a muscular Organ (biology), organ found in humans and other animals. This organ pumps blood through the blood vessels. The heart and blood vessels together make the circulatory system. The pumped blood carries oxygen and nutrie ...
" in
Kimbundu. It is the site of a Marian shrine. The town is the home of the 16th century Portuguese
Fortress of Muxima.
Church
The church ''Nossa Senhora da Conceição'', more well known as ''
Nossa Senhora da Muxima'', was first established in colonial
Portuguese Angola
In southwestern Africa, Portuguese Angola was a historical Evolution of the Portuguese Empire, colony of the Portuguese Empire (1575–1951), the overseas province Portuguese West Africa of Estado Novo (Portugal), Estado Novo Portugal (1951–1 ...
in 1599.
It is a popular pilgrimage destination in Angola, that can receive more than 1 million pilgrims annually.
It became a popular pilgrimage site after a suspected Marian apparition in 1833.
During a holy mass in October 2013, an act of vandalism caused some reparable damages.
References
Communes of Angola
Populated places in Icolo e Bengo Province
Quiçama
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