In the Name of the People

On 27th May 1977, a small demonstration against the MPLA, the ruling party of Angola - led to the slaughter of thousands, if not tens of thousands, of people. These dreadful reprisals are little talked of in Angola today - and virtually unknown outside the country. In this book, journalist Lara Pawson tracks down the story of what really happened in the aftermath of that fateful day. In a series of vivid encounters, she talks to eyewitnesses, victims and even perpetrators of the violent and confusing events of the 27th May and the following weeks and months. From London to Lisbon to Luanda, she meets those who continue to live in the shadow of the appalling events of 40 years ago and who - in most cases - have been too afraid to speak about them before. As well as shedding light on the events of 1977, this book contributes to a deeper understanding of modern Angola - its people and its politics; past, present and future.

Lara Pawson is a freelance journalist, who worked for the BBC World Service from 1998 to 2007 reporting from Mali, Ivory Coast and Sao Tome and Principe.

Introduction                                                                                                                           
PART I
1          Meeting Maria                                                                                                           
2          In the shadow of DISA                                                                                              
3          The saboteurs, the parasites, the opportunists                                                           
4          When normal things don't go normally                                                                      
5          Fascism was finished. Socialism had begun                                                   
6          Just like the movies                                                                                                   
7          The brother                                                                                                                
8          Sounds of microfiche                                                                                     
9          Never meet your heroes                                                                                             
10        Sent to Cuba                                                                                                              
11        Closing in on the kill                                                                                                  
PART II
12        So many dragonflies                                                                                                   
13        Saved by a poet                                                                                                          
14        To Sambizanga                                                                                                           
15        The little red book                                                                                                                  
16        Kilometre 14                                                                                                              
17        Cold War paradox                                                                                                      
18        Appearances                                                                                                               
19        A death camp                                                                                                 
20        Metamorphoses of the enemy                                                                                   
21        On the beach                                                                                                              
22        How our heads are formed                                                                                         
PART III
23        Loose ends                                                                                                                 
24        A Cuban connection                                                                                                  
Epilogue                                                                                                                                 
Notes                                                                                                                                      
Bibliography