The uprising began on 4 January 1961 in the region of Baixa do Cassanje, district of Malanje, Portuguese Angola.
[2] On 3 January 1961, agricultural workers employed by Cotonang, a Portuguese-Belgian cotton plantation company, staged a protest demanding improved working conditions.
[1] The protest, which later became known as the Baixa de Cassanje revolt, was led by two previously unknown Angolans, António Mariano and Kulu-Xingu.
[3] During the protest, the Angolan workers burned their identification cards and physically attacked Portuguese traders on the company premises.
[8] The rioters burned plantations, bridges, government facilities, and police stations, and destroyed several barges and ferries.