Deolinda Rodrigues: Between Historical and Biographical Writing. Reception of an Angolan Fighter and Intellectual

Deolinda Rodrigues (1939-1968) was a poet, intellectual and guerrilla fighter with the MPLA in the struggle against Portuguese colonialism in Angola. Her diary was published in 2003 under the title Diário de um exílio sem regresso. In this article, it is argued that Deolinda’s writing constitutes an act of writing histo-ry, covering significant events of a decade of political, cultural and social events of her country. The text will also be a source of reflection on black movements, the role of women in liberation movements, and the current reception of Deolinda’s work along with civil society in Angola.