Tchiloli – the unique and lively street theater of São Tomé and Príncipe – has been added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Tchiloli is a traditional form of open-air theater involving actors, musicians, and an enthusiastic audience. It is performed during festivals or public events in the open air and usually begins with a ritual led by women. Inspired by a traditional play, the plot revolves around a murder trial involving around thirty actors. These actors embody various roles in the justice system: the victim’s family, the emperor and his court, and various figures from the judiciary and the public sphere. The main scene is a public trial in which the emperor’s son is accused of the crime. Despite his royal status, he is convicted, illustrating the value of equality before the law.
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Photo: Thomas Iwainsky