Óscar Bento Ribas

Abstract is: Oscar Bento Ribas (17 August 1909 – 19 June 2004) was an Angolan writer. Ribas was born in Luanda, the son of Arnaldo Gonçalves Ribas (who was Portuguese) and Maria de Conceição Bento Faria (Angolan). His first publications were two novels: Nuvens que passam (Clouds that pass) in 1927 and Resgate de uma falta (Rescue of a lack) in 1929. Ribas suffered from gradual loss of eyesight in his 20s. Nevertheless, he continued to research and write. In 1950 he published: Flores e espinhos (Flowers and Thorns) and Uanga ( Magic ) and in 1952 Ecos da minha terra (Echoes of my land). Together with Echoes Of My Land and The Evil Spell (1951), Ribas's writings took on a distinct African character. The Evil Spell is about the marriage of an African man and woman. It is interwoven with Mbundu fables, songs, and folklore. In 1969, Ribas published an expanded edition of the novel.