I Visited the African Country You've Never Heard Of 🇸🇹 (São Tomé & Príncipe)

There's something special about this island, you know. >> [music] >> I started the moment that I landed. >> Ladies and gentlemen >> I'm living my [music] best life. This is definitely the most authentic island that I've ever visited. >> Bem-vindo a São Tomé e Príncipe. >> [music] [music] >> The entire island of São Tomé should be declared as the eighth natural wonder [music] of this world. Because when it comes to natural beauty, trust me, no country touches this beautiful [music] island. >> [music] >> Listen, I have traveled and I've never seen a country that has gone through slavery, colonization, and still remains virgin, bro. >> [music] [music] >> Welcome to São Tomé and Príncipe, a two-islands country, the second smallest nation in Africa. >> I mean it, São Tomé, one of the most beautiful [music] countries. >> [music] >> São Tomé [music] and Príncipe, two islands in one, with a population around 200,000 people. Príncipe island has less than 10,000 people. Um it was once known as the [music] island which exploit one of the best um cocoas and coffee as well. Um it's an island where not many people know of, but the community is rich. Um we have our land is fertile. We have amazing um [music] climate. Our food is natural. >> You know what? I feel like crying, man, because this is definitely one of the best days of my life. >> São Tomé and Príncipe, we could consider it the second Galapagos of the world. We at the moment are the only country in the entire world which is considered 100% biosphere reserve. We are also crossed by the equator line. >> It's roughly 20 minutes walk to the equator. I can't believe that. I'm about to touch the center of the world. Oh, wow. >> [music] >> I'm literally in the center of this beautiful planet. Besides that, we are unique in terms of endemic species, flora, and fauna, and we have amazing people and amazing food. >> I like the fact that we have virgin forests. And uh we still have beautiful culture that I believe should be put out to the community. >> São Tomé and Príncipe might be the only country in the world where people never died of starvation. Why? Because we are so rich in nutrition that food literally grows in abundance everywhere. >> Uh can be poor by poor in terms of money. People don't have money to buy expensive thing like modern thing like iPhone 7 thing stuff like that, but not hungry because we have a 9 months of rain season. The soil is very fertile. The things grow. >> Where I am is a thick forest and everything actually grows in the forest. I see bananas. I see jackfruit, bro. Give me the biggest one. >> [laughter] >> A beggar got no choice, >> [music] >> but in Africa, I got a choice, man. And this is not for anyone. It's just in the forest, bro. >> I love São Tomé because [music] of mostly because of the people. Cuz even though we have like a great country, beautiful beaches, but people are you know, awesome people. We are [music] welcome people. So, that's the things that I like the most. >> [music] >> You see, one thing that I love about this country is that everybody wants to help you without even knowing you. Literally, I just saw him going somewhere and I'm like, I need some jackfruit. I look at him climbing the tree just to get me a jackfruit, man. >> [music] >> A big shout out to the people of São Tomé for being nice because indeed this is one of the most friendliest countries that I've ever been. >> São Tomé and Príncipe is the perfect hub for those who want to unwind and switch off from the busy lifestyle. [music] This is the lively lively culture as I mentioned in the beginning. You have the nature around you. This is a true hub for nature lovers. >> In São Tomé and Príncipe, we know for our [music] beautiful nature, our beautiful beaches. We've got Pico de Sao Tome, which is the highest in the island. We've got Pico de Cao Grande, Pico de Cao Pequeno, e Pico Papagaio. So, I see Sao Tome and Principe as the promised lands. Um especially Pico Cao Grande, which is one of the most popular attraction that we have in the island. I see that as the heartbeat of the island. >> The landmark right behind me is the most iconic landmark in the entire Africa. To me, this is the representation of Sao Tome. >> [music] >> What does it look like? >> [music] >> God's sense of humor is actually mind-blowing, man. I feel like when God was creating the world, he decided to be very funny with the world because how can you tell me that mama is sitting right next to daddy? Can you see what I see? Those are two breasts and they call it the mama mountain because mama got two. >> [laughter] >> And right behind me is daddy and the son because this one is smaller and daddy got a biggest one. So, that's Pico Cao Grande and then this one is small one. Pico Cao Pique. Pique is the smallest. Which one are you? >> This is the land of waterfalls, palm trees, cocoa beans, chocolate, pretty faces, vibrant culture, and with a level level lifestyle. >> [music] >> Sao Tome indeed is a tropical paradise because I have traveled to the length and breadth of this beautiful [music] country and indeed this is definitely the most beautiful country that I've ever been. >> Our hearts belong to the ocean. Our lungs breathe from the trees and the greenery around us. This island is so peaceful because it's one of the least known countries in Africa. I remember when I was traveling around China, people at the airport thought I had a fake passport. Literally, they had to Google Sao Tome Principe because they thought it was a fake country. >> Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to a country that you've never heard of, Sao Tome and Principe. It is a two-island nation located in the Gulf of Guinea, about 250 km off the coast of Gabon, which means that Sao Tome and Principe is made up of two different islands that comes together to form one country. [music] >> This is Anambó and this is the exact same location where this beautiful island got its name from. You know why? Because on the 21st of December, 1470, the Portuguese arrived at the shores of Anambó and they arrived on Saint Thomas Day, which Saint Thomas in Portuguese is what? Sao Tome. Hence, the name Sao Tome on this beautiful island. >> And Principe was named by the same Portuguese that claimed they discovered the island as Santo Antão and later changed the name to Principe, which simply means prince in honor to the prince of Portugal. >> [music] >> Can I ask a very thought-provoking question and we can all debate in the comment section. Are you trying to tell me that the Portuguese discovered this island because Ghana is right here, Gabon is right here, and our people have been fishing in the past. Are you trying to tell me that none of our fishermen got lost and landed on these beautiful shores? Portuguese is the official language of the island. >> Speaking is mas mas not very good in English. Mas mas mis speaking. >> Fala Portuguese? >> Portuguese, yes. Yes, Portuguese. >> No, no, no Portuguese. Only English. >> [music] >> The island is predominantly a Christian country [music] heavily influenced by its colonial past as a Portuguese colony. The local currency of Sao Tome and Principe is dobra, simply short STD, but they've changed it to SDN, but even if you have euros, you still qualify to use [music] it in this beautiful island. If you have a a message for Africans, what would that message be? >> Visit Africa. >> [music] >> Cuz there there are a lot of things to to see, to explore in our motherland. Come quickly, quickly, quickly. We have a continent to build. >> It's time for us to change Sao Tome as the least known country in Africa to the most popular country in Africa. So, it's time for you to visit Sao Tome. >> [music] >> Welcome to the twin island of Africa, Sao Tome and Principe. And after exploring this island for the past 6 days, >> [music] >> I will say that indeed this is a perfect tropical paradise in the world. I am Maya. Welcome to Sao Tome and Principe. I am traveling to one country that [music] I've always wanted to travel to. I mean the least known country in Africa, [music] Sao Tome to be precise. Have you heard of Sao Tome? >> No. >> I have heard of >> You have heard of Sao Tome. What about you? >> never. >> Never? >> Is it an African country like >> What do you mean? >> I don't know. Is it >> Where are you from? >> Tanzania. >> I'm a Ghanaian. >> You're a Ghanaian? >> Yes. >> Sao [music] Tome is just 2 hours away from here. >> Yes. Ah. >> You You have heard of Sao Tome? >> Yes, please. I even got a chocolate from a customer the last time. >> Ghanaian chocolate or Sao Tome chocolate? >> [music] >> one is the best? >> I prefer Sao Tome chocolate. They don't really do uh sweet chocolate like the milk chocolate. It was a dark chocolate and [music] it really nice. >> It's really shocking to [music] know that people that are from Africa the continent don't even know where Sao Tome is. I mean some people have not even heard of Sao Tome. Where are the people of Sao Tome? Why you can't we hear from you guys, man? But anyway, this is why I'm traveling. We're going to uncover the beautiful island to show to the rest of the world. So come along with me. Let's go. >> [music] >> Safely landed in Sao Tome and I just can't wait to see what this beautiful island got to offer. Let me tell you guys [music] my first impression about Sao Tome and Principe. When I landed, the immigration officer was super nice with me. >> [music] >> You know what? As a Ghanaian, I was expecting him to ask me, "Hey, give me something." >> [music] >> But, he just stamped the passport, and he said, "Enjoy Sao Tome." So, I'm here to enjoy this beautiful island. >> [music] >> So, my first day out here in Sao Tome, and I can't wait to see what this beautiful island got to offer, bro. This is definitely the biggest chalet that I've ever stayed in [music] in my whole travel. Look at the entire stretch, and it belongs to myself and the team. [music] >> Okay, it's a great great [music] great pleasure to have you here with us. Thank you so much. Yes. >> Thank you. >> with us, yeah. >> Yeah, are you are you Sao Tomean? >> No, I'm not Sao Tomean. I'm from Cameroon. >> Cameroon? >> And I fell in love in Sao Tome in 2000 and yeah, in 2000. I came here for the first time. >> Oh, wow. >> all these beauties, you know, all the beach empties. Nobody's there. Then, I say, you know, I I need to buy some, you know, a land and build a house here, you know. >> Wow. >> my first idea, have a house in the middle of the world and in the middle of Africa. >> What do you love about Sao Tome? >> The safety. It's a safe country, and the people is very warm, you know. >> A gift for me? That's why I was so shocked. I was like, "Huh? What?" >> I'm shocked to see I'm shocked to see you here. >> goodness. >> Let me just Can I open it? >> Yeah, you can. You can. Definitely. >> Oh, wow. Is it an entire island? >> Exactly. And a taste of our own produce here in the island. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. I've got another chocolate gift. >> Yes. >> This is a chocolate island, definitely. >> [music] >> I made it to [music] the capital city of Sao Tome, which is also known to be Sao Tome. So, no, from Ghana. >> Ah, Ghana. >> You know Ghana? >> Speak English. >> Yes. >> Very good. >> Okay. >> You're from Sao Tome? >> Sao Tome, okay, yes. >> Oh, wow. >> Beautiful. >> Very beautiful, man. >> Beautiful Sao Tome. >> Yeah. >> [laughter] >> Okay, bye-o. >> Bye, nice to meet you. Where are you from? Sao Tome? >> I'm from Sao Tome. >> You're from Sao Tome? >> Sao Tome. >> Nice to meet you, too. >> You're very nice, man. >> Thank you. >> Welcome to our Sao Tome. >> Thank you. >> Okay, yeah. >> Thank you. >> [music] >> The city is more vibrant, even though I mean, a little bit laid-back. People are just just doing their own thing, minding their own business. They have a saying in this country called leve leve. So, it's like slowly. So, everybody's just taking everything in slowly, man. This is so cool. >> Oh my goodness. [music] >> Walking in the beautiful street of Sao Tome makes me feel like I'm living in the colonial time. Because almost every building that you see within the capital city is something that was built during the colonial time. I don't know, man. Look look look behind me. >> [music] >> So, as you can see in this present moment, this is rush hour. It's vibrant, it's live, everyone's running up and down, getting home because normally people here have 2-hour break. >> 2-hour break? >> Yes. >> To do what? >> To have lunch, to pick up their children at school, go home, go to either a cafe, eat some nice pastries, etc. or a a nice couscous. >> And it's all happened from what time to what time? >> So, from 12:00 till 2:00 in the afternoon. >> [music] >> Walking on the busy bustling city of Sao Tome makes me feel like I'm walking somewhere in Lagos because look at these public buses. Have you been to Nigeria? It's exactly the same, same colors, same way of life. >> [music] >> And what even surprises me is the market that they have in this beautiful island. It feels so much like home. >> [music] >> Like coming in here feels like I'm back again in the Milan Africa. >> Yeah. Okay. Because that's [clears throat] exactly how our market is. Again, we have just some products that you don't have there. >> Which product is that? >> For example, here we have Yeah, this are jackfruit. Do you know jackfruit? >> This is jackfruit, yes? >> Yeah. This is we call safu. >> Safu? >> Yes. I know that in mean Africa we have it in Gabon as well. They call it atanga. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> I've never seen this in Ghana though. >> Yeah, we boil it. It's a little bit sour but very nice. We eat it normally with the bread. >> It grows everywhere. >> Yeah, everyone here Southman, they love safu. >> Oh, wow. What is this fruit? >> So, this is called safu. >> Safu? >> Safu. >> It's roasted? >> Yes, it is. >> Can I? >> Yes. >> How do you eat it? >> You eat it just like this. It's boiled. It's literally boiled and yeah, you can give it a try. >> Do you want me to try some first? Ooh. It It looks It's um sweet potato. Right? And I just hope it tastes like sweet potato, by the way. >> If you want to, [music] you can in the morning >> It's sour. Ah. Okay. What is that one fruit you think you have here that we don't have it? For sure, I'm going to show you that. For example, we have these ones we call casamanga. >> casamanja >> casamanga is a sweet Yeah, sweet and sour at the same time. So, casamanga because it's a mix of a cashew fruit and mango. Mango is sweet. Cashew fruit Cashew fruit fruit is sour. That's why we call casamanga. >> Can I Can I buy casamanga? Yeah. She said that to give energy. >> [laughter] >> Can I get this one? >> Yeah, take it. Take it and eat. >> [music] >> And the island of Sao Tome is made up of two distinct regions, which is the north and the south. So, why not you all come along with me as we explore the northern part of this beautiful island together. >> [music] >> Sao Tome is an incredibly beautiful country, man. And whenever you visit this country, I would encourage you all to hire a car, drive through the north because that's what I'm doing right now because all you see is driving in between the beautiful green mountains together with the ocean, man. Don't tell me the view that you see is not breathtaking. You can actually get this view out here in the northern part of Sao Tome. My brothers and sisters, this is indeed one of the most beautiful countries that I've ever been, and I'm going to encourage you all to come see this country for yourself. >> [music] >> One of the famous [music] iconic tunnels in Africa is right here in Sao Tome. [music] Look right behind me. This tunnel is actually carved within that rocky mountain overlooking the beautiful sea, man. Isn't this gorgeous? But anyway, if you know who built this, let me know in the comment section. >> [music] >> Oh my goodness. >> [music] >> Definitely one of the best days of my life, man. Can you believe it? I mean, there's nothing like a dolphin show, but our dolphins decided to give me one of the best shows in the world. I don't know whether the camera can show you what my naked eyes have seen. >> [music] >> My goodness. Wow. You know what? This country will forever stay in my heart because all the things that I'm doing were never planned, but everything fall in place naturally. This is to show you that indeed the best comes from Sao Tome. Wow. How come nobody TOLD ME THERE'S A dolphin show in here? >> [music] >> Incredible stuff, man. >> [music] [music] >> Sao Tome is definitely the definition for the word paradise. My goodness. >> [music] >> Listen, this country's virginity has never been broken because it was so perfect, unexploited. Like I just can't believe it. I mean it reminds me of Portland, Jamaica. Wow. >> [music] >> Listen, I don't even know the kind of words I should use to describe >> [music] >> this beautiful island, bro. It's absolutely perfect and I can't believe that this place is unknown to Africans. >> [music] >> I can't believe this place actually exists. It's absolutely unreal, man. I mean, what makes it so unique? The fact that you can have the mountain view plus the ocean view and the entire mountains are covered with greenery, bro. My goodness, this is indeed a perfect paradise destination in Africa and I'm encouraging you all to just come and see. It's unbelievable, bro. Woo. Driving in the beautiful island of [music] Sao Tome is absolutely refreshing, man. Like I don't even know how to explain it, but have you ever driven on a road that is carved in a lush greenery before? You haven't, right? That is what I'm talking about. I mean, driving in this lush green alone is so therapeutic and you get to drive and I didn't even day you come across a beautiful ocean right up in front of you, man. Like, literally, the views that you get while driving in this country >> [music] >> is absolutely mind-blowing, man. And I can't wait to drive more in this beautiful island. >> [music] >> This is the only African country that I've visited that I see food being grown in abundance to the extent that when you go to certain areas, you will see fruits being hanged. I mean, I've been eating this forgetting that I had to record. This is the last one. I don't think I even wanted it. That's why it's still there. But, anyway, a very beautiful morning from the southern part of this beautiful island. This is where I stayed and it's owned by a young Saotomean and he's a super big fan of Wadamyah. Love it. You know, I love being here, by the way. I mean, with the sounds of the ocean every morning, it feels so therapeutic living in here. But, I just want to know, you own this place, you're so young, man. >> Yes. >> Oh, wow. >> actually, you know, I believe in your words. You said Africa belongs to the Africans. >> Oh, wow. >> And we I've been watching your videos, you know, for so long. Since you were in China. Yeah, so it's because of you. >> [laughter] >> It's because of you, you know. >> [music] >> That's amazing, man. >> Yes. >> I Listen, if you come to Saotome, if you find yourself in the south, it's about time for us to support our own. So, [music] I'm telling you that this is the best place in the whole of the South. So, when you come here, this is where you have to leave. Listen, I don't even know the name of the place, but I know >> Yeah, in Gamboa. Gamboa. >> Yes. [music] >> It means a bed. >> Yes. >> It's good to see that they got roasted corn on the island. Woo! >> [music] >> You cannot come to Sao Tome without taking one of the most viral Instagrammable video. And that is why I had to jump on the boat just to go to an island. I thought it was just somewhere on the main island, but unfortunately, it's an island on its own. And you know how I do it? Just to inspire you to come and take such videos, such photos. We have to jump on the boat just to go and say it. But listen, you know that I'm an Olympic swimmer, but my feet does not touch water, but I just have to make sure that I'm holding everything tight. You see it? Life jacket on. Let's go, baby. >> [screaming] >> SLOW DOWN. SLOW DOWN. WHAT A RIDE, BRO. HEY. I HATE it when I'm on a small boat like this and the water is rough. No way. It's not fun. And I always thank God for being with me throughout this whole journey because I've been on water, I've been in planes, I've been to so many places that like sometimes I ask myself, "How did I get here?" It's all God's. And may he continue to protect [music] me so that I'll be able to bring more authentic African stories to your doorstep. We finally made it, and as you can [music] see, what we see on Instagram and what I'm seeing in reality is a whole different story. But guess what? I'm here to take that Instagram video for you all. I really can't believe [music] that I made it out here. I mean, I've seen all the Instagram videos, and I told myself that one day I will stop my foot in here. Here I am, living my best life, dream come true, and I'm here to encourage you, yeah? I know you're living in your house right now, and you're seeing a village boy like me living such a dream. Whatever you're doing, do it from your heart, work hard, and believe me or not, your dream will surely come to pass someday. I love the fact [music] that every part of this island showcase the Caribbean, man, >> [music] >> because where I am feels like I'm somewhere in Tobago. The first connection [music] between Sao Tome and the Caribbean is the fact that Sao Tome is a twin nation, just like Trinidad and Tobago. >> [music] >> Look at that water, man. You can literally see what is happening down there. >> [music] >> I can't remember when I was going to the Nylon Pool in Tobago, the water was [music] crystal clear, just like this. You can see under the water. This place crystal clear, man. I don't know about it. This is insane, man. I feel like Sao Tome got the entire Caribbean in one. So, you find >> [music] >> every piece of the Caribbean in Sao Tome. And it's interesting to see that some of the towns on this island got the same name as the countries in the Caribbean. Break the leg. >> Yeah, break your leg. Now, put that [music] kiss on the >> This one? >> The Yeah. Now, break it. >> This Break it. >> Break it. Yeah, now open it. >> Can I tell you a fun fact? This is the only country that I've been that they sell beer without label. So, I don't even know the name of the beer, but you find it at every corner of this beautiful island. And it's produced [music] right here in Nevis, where I am. Once again, St. Kitts and Nevis representing. You can definitely take an African out of Africa, but what makes him an African, you can definitely not take it away from him. This is one common thing that I found in the Caribbean and Sao Tome. This part of the interior really reminds me of my time in Suriname. It's beautiful for to see houses within the interior. I mean, some of them are like individual houses right in the forest. And it's built with wood, man. Exactly like in Suriname. >> [music] >> I mean, when I was in the Caribbean, most of the Caribbean countries were building with wood. And I found myself in Sao Tome, which is also an island that um slave trade actually happened in here and they are also building with wood. So, my question is, what is the connection? What do you call this meal? >> We call it calulu. It is our main staple plate. >> Are you kidding me? >> No, I'm not. >> The name is calulu. >> Calulu, yeah. >> Do you know that in the Caribbean they have the same meal called calulu? >> Yeah, yes, I heard about. >> What is the ingredient in here? >> Oh, the one that our mothers they used to do it has at minimum 60 different [music] leaves and vegetables. >> Wow. >> And we we have dried fish also and this super medicinal. >> Made of red oil? >> Yeah, it's it's a bit of palm oil also, yeah. >> Bro. >> How you How you feel about it? >> It just took me back to the Caribbean. >> Yeah. >> [music] >> Like since from Angola >> Yeah. >> and Congo >> Yeah. >> and going all the way until Bahia, Brazil. So >> Yes, even Brazil. They eat this and they call it cal >> calulu >> cal >> And one of my biggest dream is to one day to taste calulu because >> In Brazil? >> Yeah. You will close this circle, you see? I already had calulu from Angola. >> Mhm. >> Which is a fight between us. The same as as >> Ghana jollof and Nigeria >> And I need to have calulu to close this circle, the brotherhood circle, you see? >> [music] >> Have you tasted flying fish before? >> This is flying fish? >> Yes, this is fried flying fish. >> You eat flying fish here? >> Yes, we love fried fish. >> That's a lot of fish, man. This is the flying fish. Ooh. That's fresh from the boat. If I tell you that there is a bit and pieces of Caribbean all combined in this island, will you believe me? Because flying fish is more like one of the national meals of Barbados. >> Oh, yeah? >> So, we have uh from June until mid-August the those are the months of flying fish where we have an abundance. During these months it's like street food here. >> Really? >> [music] >> Right behind me is where the main trading between the men and women really happens. So, more like the women are actually buying in wholesale [music] and then they're just going to go out and resell to people within the city. >> [music] >> But, it's exciting to see what is happening behind me, man. The negotiations that are happening, I wish I can also learn it. Wait, can you believe it? Flying fish in Sao Tome. Oh my goodness. Wow. So, it's like Barbados? But, let's not start this war, yeah? >> [laughter] >> Yeah. Let's Let's leave it like that. >> [music] >> You see the tree behind me? That's breadfruit. And you can actually find breadfruit tree in every corner of this island, especially household. I see breadfruit almost everywhere. >> Yeah, there's almost everywhere because it is our country's [music] staple food. >> Oh, wow. Breadfruit. Every corner of this island, every household, you will see breadfruit. Breadfruit is so common in here. >> Mhm. >> Why is it so? >> Well, the story that we were told is that the breadfruit was brought from [music] Tahiti by a Captain William Bligh. So, it was brought here to to feed the populations here. >> The enslaved Africans. >> Yes. >> Do you know the reason why breadfruit came to this island? >> Yeah, it was brought in the 15th century by the Portuguese. >> Why? >> To feed the black slaves and the animal production that they had here. >> This is to let you know that anywhere you see breadfruit, it means [music] slavery happened apart from where this tree actually comes from. One thing [snorts] that I've come across on the island of Sao Tome, wherever you see estates, [music] I mean, abandoned estate like this one, you get to see royal palm trees built around it. And I keep asking myself, what is the connection between the royal palm that is being planted in here with the royal palms that were planted >> [music] >> in Barbados as more of a form of GPS. So, whenever you're looking for a plantation, you got to look for royal palms like this to know that this is where I work. >> So, basically, these trees that we are looking at there are called royal palm trees. But these trees they are back to our pre-colonial era in terms of slavery and the slave trade. When the slaves actually went out into the fields, they used these trees as markers to make their way back onto the sugar plantation. I often uh refer to these trees as GPS. >> To the extent that some of them are even falling off. I wish this palm can tell me the history of what happened here in the past. >> The history of Sao Tome and Principe begins with the Portuguese who claim to have discovered it. >> They were traveling around Africa to discover more lands and then they discovered Sao Tome and in December 21st, [music] 1470. >> Do you believe that they discovered the island? >> Well, about that we have two histories. The main history is that they say that they didn't see people here, but we have second history that says that they saw local people here. But like we we we don't have how or we didn't have how to prove that. So the main history is that they [music] didn't see people here in this island. >> It's time for us to rewrite our own history and that is why I am doing this. You know what? The Portuguese indeed arrived here in the 1470s, but if you ever ask me, they are not the first people to arrive on this land. In the late 1400s, [music] the island became a Portuguese colony serving as an important stopover in the Atlantic slave trade. Sugar plantations were established using enslaved Africans brought mainly from West and Central Africa. And because of the hard labor conditions on the plantations, some fled into the bushes. >> Well, we have we have a lot of history about people that run away. And for that, uh also exist [music] the bush cap- bush cap- captains. So, bush captains were were the guys that went [music] to rescue uh to hunt people that would run away. >> Those were they Africans, too? >> Uh >> Yes, they were Africans. >> Almost all Africans. >> Most of them, yes. Uh a lot of them run away, as I said. And yeah, they went to to to the bushes, and then they would come back and steal the woman's from the sugar uh engines and to take with them, because they did had woman's there on on the bushes. >> Okay, so behind us we have uh Rei Amador, who is the leader of revolted slaves. Um he was associated with a community called the Angoladish, which is located in the south of Santo Me. >> Uh and what's the special um uh group because they were uh force of uh resistance. Because they didn't work in the process. [snorts] >> Okay. >> They are fishermans, and they are a symbol of resistance. >> Angoladish, you know, is a kind of a controversy story, as well. That they say like is like a people that came from Angola. Came with their culture and keep their culture. >> [music] >> The first guy that we call the week we see like our hero that is our money and our notes call King Amador. >> Mhm. >> And then he was Angolar. He was the first guy that create like a kind of rebellion here. Because against colonialism. It was a kind of it was a slavery that escaped to the forest with the other guys. >> Um initially he freed captivated slaves [music] and he told them to be a part of his movement um to fight against the colonizers. >> And then create some instruments like with a stone with a machete stuff like that. And then during the night attack the Portuguese plantation. They burn the machine that the Portuguese people used to make a sugar cane in that time. >> Um however, he one of [music] his friends went against him and led him to the colonizers which he was then assassinated. [music] >> When the Portuguese people found him, they brought him to the main square uh hung him with a string on the neck in front of everyone and cut his body in small pieces in front of all slave everyone to see like lesson for all the people don't do the same [music] that he did. If you people do thing that they did, will have the same hand. >> In the late [music] 1700s and early 1800s, competition from Brazil caused the sugar industry in Sao Tome to decline. [music] As a result, Portugal shifted its focus to coffee and cocoa cultivation. The small island was once the largest producer of cocoa. You know why? Because they went to mainland Africa, captured Africans, brought them to those island to enslave them just to work on cocoa plantations like this. And then at the day, they were exporting cocoa beans, making all the money without thinking about the Africans that are working on the plantation. And whenever you drive the entire island, you see cocoa plant literally [music] everywhere. Also, to prove to you that this country was once the largest producers [music] of cocoa. >> During the 19th century, the Portuguese developed large plantation estates known as the roças, which became the foundation of the island's economy and made São Tomé one of the largest producers of cocoa. >> [music] >> We are on Roça Central. Uh it was a a old roça before. The main production was cocoa, yeah. >> [music] >> Since 1908, yeah. So, this roça was on on a group of 17 roças, yeah. On that time >> [music] >> uh see on on the beginning of 20th century, was more than 600 roças, more than 600 roças. This island was one of the one of the biggest cocoa producers on the beginning of 20th century. [music] The most of people that work on the plantation were from Cape Verde, from Angola, from Mozambique. >> I love the fact that there is [music] a trace to every little thing that happened on this island. This is a coffee plantation. It's to prove to you that indeed, once upon a time, this country was one of the major producers of coffee. >> This [music] is Monte Café, one of the ancient roças of São Tomé. Because the weather here is so special, different, [music] more cold and um humid, [music] so the it it's allowed to produce a great coffee. So, so this [music] roça is known mostly for coffee. This is why the the name is Monte Café. >> [music] >> So, roça will be a typical example of estate >> [music] >> in the Caribbean because right behind me is where the processing happened. The plantation is right on the mountains because, you know, coffee grows in mountainous area. If I have to compare this place with Blue Mountains of Jamaica where coffee grows, it's exactly the same thing that happened in [music] here. So, hey, you see the building right over there? That is where the patron used to stay because they lived their best life where the people that they've enslaved lived the most horrible life in here. These harsh [music] treatment on the plantations led to tensions and resistance between the locals and the Portuguese, which led to a brutal massacre on this beautiful island. São Tomé is a beautiful small island with a very painful history. Where I am is Batepá where the massacre of Batepá actually began. And the monument right behind me shows that indeed this town represent [music] or is a symbol of resistance and suffering under colonial rule because at the end of the day, over 2,000 people were killed on this island. Why did the massacre happen? >> Uh well, um it's happened because uh in around uh 1868, we had a more or less kind of a slavery abolition here. So we stopped Portuguese production down and then they wanted the local people [music] to work with them for them but by contract more or less like that. Some local people knew that the contract was like only in the paper and they really should be the slavery in the same >> [music] >> so many of them refused to sign the contract. So with that the Portuguese people start become very angry with local people [music] and then they just accused local people that they are organizing kind of a rebellion against the Portuguese [music] government. So had a governor here called Carlos Gorgulho that authorized the massacre. So the Portuguese military went to a village called Batepa and start to arrest people, burn their houses and torture them. >> I want to know what happened in here. >> [music] >> Okay so during the massacre in 1953 this [music] was once used as a place where water was stored and then it was transformed formed to become a prison [music] where locals who resisted to work in the plantations would have been kept [music] inside here and most of them eventually died. Due to the conditions. >> Cuz there's no fresh air in here. >> No. >> Was this closed? I just put my legs in here and I can >> [music] >> feel the heat from down there. And at the end of the day it's not even closed yet. I really want [music] to go inside. Oh my goodness. Woo, you're taking so long. Oh my goodness. >> Just let me know. >> Like >> When? >> No. Oh my goodness. Can't believe that our sisters went through this. Like it it's extremely dark. I can't see the next person [music] next to me. I mean I'm here alone and I can't see anything. Like stuck in the dark. But imagine hundreds of people were kept in here. Yo, CAN YOU GUYS GET ME OUT? PLEASE. NO, NO, NO, NO, NO. I'm sweating already. PLEASE. HEY, NO. PLEASE OPEN. OH MY GOODNESS. I'm sweating already. Can you imagine it? Bro, just less than a minute and I'm sweating. Imagine how long our sisters were kept in here. That's some of the punishment that the Portuguese gave to the [music] people who that were rebellious. >> Okay, they gave they put people to chain in the feet, gave them like a recipients to have [music] the sea, to bring water from the sea to the land, put them like in a jail a lot of people without enough space to breathe. A lot of them died there. It was was so sad this history here. >> [music] [music] >> So it looks like their number [music] The people that were killed put your number there. I mean this happened in the year 1953. So it's just recent. I don't know if we have [music] to forgive and forget. And that is why reparation is very important. These guys were paid because they lost [music] their plantations. And the people that worked on the plantations were never paid. Like sometimes I don't understand it, bro. >> We don't have to how to delete the past. We don't have how to delete it. [music] Even we don't we we we we didn't forget it. So, it's very It was very sad history. [music] It It marked the house we not forget it. >> You know what? This whole journey is more personal to me than even you. So, I told myself not to do videos relating to slave trade because the more I do such videos, the more I grow a lot of hatred in my heart. So, I decided to stay away. But, I feel like I have to be the one to tell the stories. Hence, the reason why I came to Sao Tome without even knowing about the atrocities that happened on this island. But, I'm here to let you all know, especially young Africans, it's about time for you to know your history. In order to know where you're going, you definitely need to know your history. And I'll encourage all the youth of Africa to start learning about history [snorts] of our continent. I mean, from one country to another so that we don't repeat the same mistakes that our ancestors did because this continent [music] belongs to you and I and our children. So, it's about time to transfer knowledge to our children so that our children don't become slaves [music] in their own continent. May all the souls that got lost in here rest in perfect peace. I wish I had a a schnapps. I would have poured libation for the ancestors. And in the year 1975, Sao Tome gained its independence. [music] >> [music] >> Whatever you find yourself in a Lusophone country, there's one juice that you definitely have to try. That is a sugarcane juice. I mean, I've been to almost five different countries. I don't know where this concept of sugarcane juice came from. But at the end of the day, almost Mozambique, Cabo Verde, and now Sao Tome, all got sugarcane juice, man. Ah, oh my goodness. With this heat, this is refreshing, man. If you're looking for peace, peace lives in this country. Sao Tome got a lot to offer the world, man. Like, just look at me sitting beautifully on a canoe. Just cruising on a mangrove with beautiful wildlife right behind me. I don't know if you guys can see the monkeys. It looks like Mona monkeys. Look at that. Sitting right over there. Bro, I don't know what else that I need to show you for you to agree with me that this is definitely the most beautiful country in Africa. I mean, natural beauty. Let's Let's Let's just sing this song all together. Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream. It's [music] so therapeutic out here. The fact that no engines, we just us paddling, and just listening to the sounds in the forest. >> [music] >> I mean, the monkeys are making a lot of noise today. Look at that. This are Mona monkeys. Ooh. Ooh. Oh, wow. Look at that. God bless Sao Tome and Principe. God bless Africa. God bless Water May. I have to go and dance. >> This is dance of Congo. >> Dance of Congo. >> Dance of Congo. Dance of the captain of Congo. Uh it's one of the most traditional performances in of Sao Tome. >> You don't know the origin of the dance? >> We are studying this, me and my wife. I'm Jose, I'm photographer, and my wife is anthropologist, Magdalena San Bell. >> Okay. >> And we are studying the dance of Congo from about 10 years. >> With the traces that you've done for the past 10 years, have you done any connection with this dance with any other country? >> We don't know yet. >> Which African country are you from? Is there a traditional dance similar to this? Let me know in the comment section because they can't they don't know why, and I also don't know. So, I believe you can help us find out. >> [music] >> What names do you guys have in here? >> African names. >> African [music] names? >> Yes. Like Congolo, Chongo. >> Wow. >> Yeah. >> Do you guys have the Portuguese surnames? >> We have also a Portuguese name. >> Like from Angolash? >> From Angolash, yes. >> So, you you grew up in the city. >> Yeah, man. >> How many names do you have? >> I have five. >> And you grew up here. How many names do you have? >> I have three names. [music] >> Three names? Why do you have five? >> My Well, I have my my mom names, my my father names, my grandfather [music] names also. And all of those names come from the Portuguese. >> What is your name? >> [laughter] >> My name is Enelito Franco Lagos da Costa Soares. Man, no >> You you are not an African, brah. >> João. >> How many names do you have? >> I have a three. >> Three? No Portuguese, right? >> No Portuguese. >> How many How many do you have? >> Enelito. >> Enelito? >> Fernandes. >> Fernandes? >> Pereira. >> All the three are Portuguese? >> Yeah, Portuguese. >> Three of them? >> Uh and now my name is Mionga. >> Six names. >> [screaming] >> YOU HAVE SIX NAMES? THIS ONE WHAT'S YOUR NAME? >> NO, because I'm >> What's your name? What's your name? >> [laughter] >> I'm >> Who is your father? Like it's a white guy. >> [laughter] [music] >> One of my favorite things to do when I travel is to chase waterfalls. But one of the most spectacular waterfalls that I've ever seen in my life was in a book, not online. So, I had to look for the author, who is from São Tomé. So, the moment I visited this country, he says that, "Hey, Maya, to see this waterfall, you have to stay in a boat for an hour." Hence the reason why I want a boat with the author himself. So, we are on our way to see that special waterfall. I mean, we're going to be on this boat for 1 good hour just to see this spectacular waterfall and trust me, you won't be disappointed. Listen. >> We made it. >> Have you ever seen a waterfall kissing the ocean? >> [music] [music] >> This is it. This is history. I mean, I saw this waterfall [music] from a book and I'm like, I just have to see this waterfall with my naked eyes and guess where I am. Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness, history. History. Wow. Wow, man. Ah. Oh my god. Yo. This country is definitely a paradise and I'm here to let you all know that I simply can't understand why Sao Tome is the least known country in Africa. I think that [music] narrative needs to change. Listen, look at that. Bro. Oh, just look at that. Oh my goodness. Wow. You know, I just love chasing waterfalls but indeed, this is the [music] best waterfall I've ever seen. I mean, look at the waterfall, just dropping majestically into the ocean, bro. >> [music] >> Anytime I see natural wonders whenever I travel in Africa, I keep wondering why are Africans not exploring this beautiful continent because this was intentionally created by God for Africans. And it's about time for Africans to explore it. But my biggest worry is the fact that >> [music] >> there is visa restrictions among Africans. There's no free movement for Africans within their own continent. It's so expensive to travel from one country to another within Africa, and I'm just telling African leaders, [music] when you meet in Addis Ababa, one of the biggest thing [music] that you all need to start talking about is borderless Africa conversation because this natural wonders within our own continent, it's about time for Africans to explore this beautiful continent just to see the natural wonders within their own continent. Listen, Africa is home for Africans. If you are from Namibia, Botswana, Ghana, Nigeria, Tunisia, Egypt, know that Africa [music] is home for you because whatever you play on home grounds, you score more goals. >> [music] >> So, to the youth of Africa, if you want to marry from Addis Ababa, go for it. If you want to invest in Kenya, go for it. If you want to build your house in Sao [music] Tome, go for it because Africa was built for you. Before the Europeans visited this continent, [music] there was nothing like Ghana, Nigeria, Togo. Africa is your home, man. Look at this. Look at this. Like I feel like crying because I have been to 39 countries in Africa and I've never come across [music] anything like this. >> [music] >> The world is indeed a very beautiful place >> [music] >> and I'm here to tell you that go out there, go live your life, go explore the world, and make your dreams come true. Don't be scared, yeah? Wake up and travel. >> [music] >> Think about those dreams and make it a reality. [music] I love you all and don't forget to like this video, subscribe, and follow this awesome channel. Hey, have you subscribed yet? Come on, man. You've been watching these videos for years. YouTube told me that 65% of the people that watch my videos are unsubscribed. Don't be part of the 65%. Subscribe to this channel and I'll see you all in the [music] next beautiful video from the motherland, Africa. >> [music]