Sociological Implications of the Vandalism of the Mitcha Cemetery, in the Municipality of Lubango, from the Perspective of Its Employees

This article analyzes the sociological implications of vandalism at the Mitcha Cemetery, located in the municipality of Lubango, in the Huíla province of Angola, from the perspective of its employees. The main objective of the research was to understand the perceptions, causes, and consequences of vandalism in funeral spaces, highlighting the social and cultural impacts of this practice. The relevance of this study lies in the need to promote respect for cemeteries as cultural and symbolic heritage, considering that the desecration of these spaces compromises both collective memory and the health and safety of the community. The research adopted a quantitative approach-characterized as exploratory-descriptive. Data were collected through questionnaires administered to 15 cemetery employees and a representative of the Lubango Municipal Department of Environment and Basic Sanitation. Methods such as content analysis, data triangulation, and simple statistical analysis were also used. The results reveal that 80% of study participants acknowledge that acts of vandalism have occurred in the cemetery, with beliefs in witchcraft (73.33%) and theft of materials (26.67%) being the main causes. There was also a strong call for respect for burial spaces, considered sacred sites of collective memory. The research highlights the urgency of preventive and educational measures to raise public awareness about the preservation of these spaces. This study contributes to the debate on the symbolic value of cemeteries and reinforces the importance of public policies aimed at their protection.