THE CONGO’S MOST POPULAR OPPOSITION LEADER ÉTIENNE TSHISEKEDI WA MULUMBA
Etienne TSHISEKEDI WA MULUMBA, born on December 14, 1932, in Kananga, is one of the prominent figures who shaped the political history of the DRC. Supporters would say that he fought until the end. We have talked about the pre-colonial history of the DRC in different articles but now we will discover the post-colonial history through the history of this Congolese opposition leader, Etienne TSHISEKEDI. We will find out: EARLY LIFE HIS POLITICAL JOURNEY ETIENNE TSHISEKEDI DEATH THE MOST INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ETIENNE TSHISEKEDI Let’s dive right in! EARLY LIFE Etienne TSHISEKEDI was born on December 14, 1932 in Kananga in the current province of Kasai-Centrale. After his first studies, Etienne went to Kinshasa to study at the university, where he obtained his doctorate in law in 1961 at the Lovanium University of Kinshasa, thus becoming the first Congolese doctor in law. Being in the capital Kinshasa, he started his political career a little earlier than currently most known politicians in the DRC. POLITICAL JOURNEY UNDER THE REGIME OF PRESIDENT JOSEPH KASA VUBU: TSHISEKEDI AN ALLY WITH A DIFFERENT POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY Tshisekedi started his political journey in the MNC, the country’s first political party co-founded by Patrice Lumumba between 1958 and 1959. The MNC stood for “Mouvement National Congolais” (Congolese National Movement in English). Tshisekedi acted as an advisor in the party. But towards the end of 1959, the MNC was divided into 2. There were: MNC-L: The Unitarist wing, directed by Patrice Lumumba, and; MNC-K: The Federalist wing, led by Albert Kalonji. Albert Kalonji went on to lead a secessionist movement in the Kasai region of the DRC, at that time it was known as South Kasaï. This happened between 1960 and 1962; and during this time, Tshisekedi joined Kalonji in South Kasaï, where he acted as the Minister of Justice before the movement was ended by the central government. UNDER THE REGIME OF PRESIDENT JOSEPH MOBUTU: ÉTIENNE TSHISEKEDI AN ALLY AND AN OPPONENT We cannot speak of Tshisekedi without speaking about the presidency of Mobutu. President Mobutu seized power in a military coup in 1965, and at that time, Tshisekedi was already a member of parliament. According to Tshisekedi’s own account, Mobutu promised to work with the existing parliament after taking power, and to prove that, he asked the parliament to choose one person from each of the provinces, who would join the new Mobutu government. This is how Tshisekedi, having been chosen by members of his province, joined the Mobutu government. He served as Minister of Customary Affairs and Minister of the Interior. However, early in the work relationship, Mobutu showed signs he was not interested in a democratic system. TSHISEKEDI had allied himself with the other political actors to fight the dictatorial regime of Mobutu and after much pressure, the president assigned the responsibility to Tshisekedi to write a new constitution. In 1967, there was a new constitution, which limited the number of political parties to 2. This was done to avoid the creation of political parties based on ethnic or tribalist grounds, while also respecting democratic values. Shortly before the 1967 constitution was released, Tshisekedi, along with President Mobutu and Justin Bomboko, wrote the famous manifesto called the Manifesto of Nsele in 1967, thus creating the Popular Movement for Revolution (MPR in French), a political party that later became synonymous with the state under Mobutu’s command. In 1970, while Tshisekedi and other political actors who had influence on Mobutu were sent to work in consulates and embassies, Mobutu abolished the law that allowed for the multiplicity of political parties, thus making his political party MPR the one and only political party in the country. From this point onwards, all other parties that tried to oppose the MPR were violently suppressed. Mobutu the marshal became the living meaning of dictatorship and would go on to stay in power for more than 30 years. Back to Tshisekedi! Against the abuses of Mobutu, Tshisekedi co-founded the political party UDPS, Union for Democracy and Social Progress in 1982. From this point onwards, he was arrested multiple times by the Mobutu regime. His popularity also grew with each arrest; it reached one of its highest points in 1988. During this time, Tshisekedi held a public gathering to commemorate the death of Patrice Lumumba. This did not go well with the regime in place, so Tshisekedi was beaten and imprisoned, people were killed and wounded by President Mobutu’s forces and there were clashes everywhere: This is the most significant event in TSHISEKEDI’s life as a political opponent that made him incredibly popular. Finally, in the 1990s, the power in place weakened as President Mobutu lost support from his Western allies due to the end of the Cold War. With growing opposition at home and the lack of support from the West, Mobutu was forced to legalize opposition. The transition to political pluralism was done through the creation of a National Conference called “La Conference Nationale Souveraine” (CNS), which was led by Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo. When opposition was legalized, Tshisekedi joined forces with other political actors such as Kyungu wa Kumwanza and Nguza Karl-i-bond in Katanga and they formed a coalition called “Union Sacrée” (Sacred Union in English). A few years later, they split, one part of them sticking to President Mobutu and another one, the one of Tshisekedi, still remaining in Union Sacrée. Nguza Karl Bond became prime minister under Mobutu and Kyungu became governor of Katanga province. Although Tshisekedi was a very popular opposition leader, he was not able to overthrow the president, partly also because he strongly believed in non-violent opposition. Mobutu remained in power for more than 30 years until Laurent Désiré Kabila led a coup to overthrow him. UNDER THE REGIME OF LAURENT DÉSIRÉ KABILA THE FATHER AND JOSEPH KABILA THE SON Laurent Désiré Kabila became president of the republic in 1997, and with the same ideology as Mobutu, TSHISEKEDI has become his opponent as well. The president did not last in power as he was
6 BREATHTAKING PLACES IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO!
Let us show you 6 breathtaking places you won’t believe existed in the DR Congo. The Democratic Republic of Congo is a country very rich in natural resources and most other countries envy it for this fact – yes, they do! Grassy mountains, dense forests, hills, amazing waterfalls, lakes, and biodiversity have so much to make you fall in love with the place. In this article, we will travel to the DRC (virtually anyway) to learn about the most breathtaking places in the country that you should visit. Mount Nyiragongo In the heart of Africa and particularly within the Congolese biodiversity in the Virunga National Park, the Nyiragongo mountain is a delight for the eyes. It is 90 km from the city of Goma and Lake Kivu. It has a lava lake, covering 200 meters in diameter. This stratovolcano has known 32 eruptive phases since the first one in 1884, however, it has caused a lot of interest and curiosity on the part of several researchers from around the world. The descent of volcanic lava reaches 100K/H and is considered the fastest in the world. It had its latest eruptive phase in May 2021. Although this lava lake is almost permanent, the volcano is very active and is considered one of the most dangerous places in the world, we advise you to take a tour to visit this wonderful place located in the tourist town of Goma, but always stay on the alert. Kyubo Falls Located 300 km from the city of Lubumbashi, in the province of Haut-Katanga, the Kiubo Falls are among the most beautiful falls in the country. They are essentially 90 meters wide and 60 meters high. The place is one of the greatest wonders to discover in the DRC with a special emphasis on nature, with beautiful forests, antelope species, and elephants very enticing to watch. Kiubo Falls is on the Lufira River in the Upemba National Park, there are some very interesting and great places that you could visit, like the Kiubo Falls Lodge, a very friendly site allowing you to have an unforgettable stay within the national park. There are various activities, such as fishing, cruises, tennis, basketball, pedal boats, etc… There is also good food that you can enjoy while watching in the evening and hearing the Kiubo Falls. The Mangrove National Park or The Mwanda Marine Reserve Established in 1992, the Mangrove National Park is located in the Central Kongo Province in the Moanda Territory of western DRC. It is an environment very rich in biodiversity and is the only marine park in the country. It is home to different species of shrubs, several wetlands, mangrove forests, etc. It is a very beautiful tourist site, one of the most beautiful places that we suggest you visit once you are in DRC. The Mangrove Marine Reserve will welcome you for hiking on the Congo River or the Atlantic Ocean or visit its different aquatic species: the marine turtle, the hippopotamus, the water birds, (the heron, the stork, the whistling duck), the African manatee, the mother cows and, other terrestrial species such as the bushpig, the buffaloes, and the monkeys. It is a beautiful place in the DRC that we highly recommend you to visit. Boyomo Falls or Wagenia Falls A series of 7 cataracts stretching over 100 km on the Lualaba River, this is a marvel located in the north-central part of the DRC not far from Kisangani and Ubundu. Each extending no more than 5 meters, they form the largest waterfalls by volume of annual flow rate in the world. We are pretty sure you’ll enjoy listening to the falls along the Lualaba. Rwenzori mountains On the border between the DRC and Uganda is a magnificent mountain range, with an altitude of over 5000 meters at the peak. It is a very beautiful place, which highlights the whole of the beautiful Congolese nature or Africa in general. It is the 3rd highest peak in Africa behind Kilimanjaro and the Kenya mount, and contains glaciers, a rainforest, emblematic species, elephants, birds, and more. Being part of the Virunga National Park, you can already imagine that it is a beautiful place and we recommend that you visit it one day. Zongo Falls Zongo Falls is located on the Inkisi River, about 135 km from the city of Kinshasa. It is a majestic and formidable site, for an unforgettable safari. To go there you must use a 4×4, there is accommodation with comfort taken very seriously, a warm environment for relaxation, a set of landscapes that you will adorably observe, attractive biodiversity, dense forests, and fresh vegetation. This jewel of Congolese nature is pure happiness for moments of meditation and reflection, or a treat of picnic between friends or family. Closing Thoughts The DRC has formidable biodiversity. Even if we have listed only 6 very beautiful places in the country, there are even more that will make you wonder about the abundance of nature in Congo: parks with endemic animals, fabulous waters, magnificent vegetation, colossal mountains with glaciers that are beautiful to observe. The country is full of quite interesting tourist sites, so you will have many options to choose from when deciding to visit them. Congotalks243 is a platform that does not cease to make you discover the DRC as a whole, particularly its culture, its history, and lifestyle. Have a look through even more exciting articles. We also invite you to stay up to date by subscribing to our YouTube Channel and following us on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages.
FUN, EASY, EVERYDAY PHRASES IN LINGALA
Let us show you some everyday phrases in Lingala to help improve your vocabulary in minutes. One of the wonders of Congolese culture is its splendid national language Lingala, which is the most widely spoken language in the Democratic Republic of Congo after French but it is also spoken in central African Republic, Congo Republic, particularly in the capital Brazzaville. If you want to travel to the DRC, to Kinshasa precisely, where this language is commonly spoken, you can learn everyday and easy phrases in Lingala. How to learn Lingala? Learn easy Lingala phrases How to pronounce Lingala words Fun easy phrases in Lingala In this part we will discover the easy, fun and common phrases in Lingala. Mbote: Hello is the most common Lingala words Ndenge nini: how is it going? Na za Kitoko or tokoss from a Congolese singer Fally Ipupa since it is his own music style: I’m fine I’m beautiful, I’m well or well dressed Oza kitoko: you are beautiful or well dressed, but the most used tokoss Na za Malamu: I am fine Oza malamu: you are fine Na za Mabe: I am bad Eza mabe: it’s bad So romantic: How to say I love you in Lingala? To say I love you in the Lingala language we say ‘na lingi yo’; ‘Lingi’ comes from the word ‘Bolingo’ meaning love. I would be tempted to say that it is the Lingala word most used by singers from Kinshasa. Nako bala yo: I will marry you How to say shut up in LINGALA? We say Kanga monoko na yo Ye moko: him alone Yo moko: you alone To za awa: we are here Mwasi na nga: my woman if you combine a little with Na lingi yo Mwasi na nga Maman na nga: your mother Olingi nini: what do you want? What are you looking for? Nazo Yoka te Lingala I don’t understand LINGALA O Yoki: you understand Ndeko: friends Motema na nga: my heart Nake ko sombela bilamba I’m going to buy the clothes Eza mawa: it’s sad, it’s a shame Mikolo nionso: every day Na brosser minu: I brush my teeth Kombo na nga Felie: my name is Felie Kombo na yo eza nani: what is your name? Sangonini: what news? Boni: how are you? Mobali na ye: her husband Na key: I am leaving Oh nzambe na nga: my God Lingala in the market: na wenze I am going to buy food: Nake kosamba bileyi na wenze How much does it cost? Eza how much You have the oil: boza na mafuta Get out: kende kuna To learn and improve your language as much as you really want, you can watch our YouTube videos on how to learn Lingala. Lingala At home: na ndako What time is it? Eza tango nini eza hour nini I am hungry: naza na nzala I’m going to eat the foufou: nako lia foufou I wash the plates: Nazo nika ba sani I wash nazo: Nika bilamba I go to wash: nake kosokola I cook: nazo lamba With friends: na ba masta I am going into my room: I am going into the bathrooms I am going to hit you: nako beta yo it’s his child: Eza mwana na ye Azokomba nse: He is sweeping the floor. Azopangusa mesa: She is cleaning the table. Bakobamba ndako na biso: They will repair our house. Nasengeli kokombola ndako: I am going to clean the house. Pompe ezali ya kotoboka: The pipe has a hole. Tozofutela ndako: We are going to rent a house. Nasepeli yo: I thank you Lingala at school: na kelasi Kake na kelasi: I am going to school Pesa nga bic: give me a pen Pesa nga notebook: give me a pen Nazo yo kate: I don’t understand Na Ba camarad na ye: with your classmates You can improve your fun and easy phrases in Lingala by watching this Video. How to pronounce Lingala words Example with vowels A as potato E as dwell O as close I as It U as put Example of Lingala phrases with English phonetics: Na zo yoka te: Nah Zoh yo kah teh Oza kitoko makasi: Oh za Kee-toh-Koh mah-kah-See Na lingi yo : Na Lin-gee Yoh Kombo na yo eza nani ?: Koh-Mboh nah-yo-azah Nah-Nee Na Ko Beta yo: Nah ko Betah yo I think with these pronunciations you will be able to read well in Lingala. Conclusion Lingala is the easiest language in the DRC, Angola, Central Africa, and the Republic of Congo; so a large part of the Kongo kingdom. These easy and common phrases will help you to learn Lingala faster. How much does it take? Only a few minutes with this article, or visit our YouTube channel where you can learn more to deepen your knowledge of Lingala in particular and of Congolese culture in general.
DR CONGO’S INCREDIBLE BIODIVERSITY
The DR Congo (DRC) is a vast country in terms of area and natural reserves, with incredible biodiversity. The DRC has large forests, almost 10% of the world’s reserve, 35% of Africa’s reserve, and several species of very interesting animals. So it will be the focus of this article based on the video from the Congotalks243 YouTube channel to give you a taste of the incredible biodiversity of the DRC. Let’s find out together. Congolese National Parks The Salonga National Park The Salonga National Park was created on November 30, 1925. It has an area of 36,000 km² and is the largest rainforest reserve in Africa. It is located in the western part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a park that especially describes Congolese biodiversity as a whole, from rainforests, rare grasses, rivers, and beaches, Salonga has something to make you dream for a memorable visit. It holds various animal species: the most famous are elephants and 40% of the world’s Bonobo apes are housed there. Also the Congolese peafowls, a magnificent bird belonging exclusively to the DRC, leopards, antelopes, fish and more can be found there. The Okapi wildlife reserve Located in the Ituri forest in the northeastern part of the DRC, the Okapi Wildlife Reserve covers an area of 14,000 square kilometers and was established in 1992. This magnificent forest is filled with Okapi animals, around 10,000 individuals, which is what earned it the name of Okapi Wildlife Reserve. It protects in addition to the Okapi, several forest elephants, like the Salonga Park, and more than 100 other species of mammals, magnificent birds, forests, waterfalls, etc. It will be useful to remember that Okapi is the animal symbol of the DRC, it is half giraffe and half zebra. The Upemba National Park If you want to visit the Haut-Katanga and the Haut-Lomami, the Upemba National Park will warmly welcome you to discover and observe the splendor of its fabulous wildlife, its flying birds and their pleasant sounds. It was established in 1939 and it protects baboons, herds of zebras, lions, elephants, reptiles, antelopes, buffaloes, Ourebis, and many other magnificent species on an area of more than 11,000 Km². You will also find tropical woodland vegetation, rainforest, lakes such as the Upemba and Kisale etc. The Maïko National Park With an area of over 10,000 Km², the Maiko National Park is located in the southeastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Orientale province and South Kivu. It has wonderful biodiversity characterized by an exceptional fauna that includes animals endemic to the DRC such as the Okapi, the lowland gorillas, the Congolese peafowls, forest elephants, pangolins, and Chimpanzees. The Virunga National Park The Virunga National Park was established in 1925 covering an area of more than 8000 km². The park holds savannahs, dense forests, snow, and active volcanoes such as the Nyamulagira and Nyiragongo. The park attracts several tourists each year. The Virunga National Park is the park that has the greatest variety of fauna and flora in the DRC. In fact, it is the richest in biodiversity in the whole of Africa. Not only does it protect the mountain gorillas of the eastern plains, it also protects hippos, elephants, reptiles, chimpanzees, amphibians, lions and the famous Okapi animal totems of the DRC, and many other different mammals, emblematic birds, sublime waters like the warm river of Rwindi. The Kundelungu National Park The Kundelungu National Park was established in 1970 and is located in the southern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, 180 km from the city of Lubumbashi in Haut-Katanga. The park is a joy to explore in an area of 7000 Km². It has wonderful wildlife that includes zebras, antelopes, buffalos, leopards, cheetahs, lions, baboons and much more. Kundelungu National Park also has a wonderful view of its highlands, for example, the Kundelungu plateau from which it takes its name, its rivers and the fabulous waterfalls, the highest in Central Africa: the Lofoï falls, which is a tributary of the Lufira which in turn is a tributary of the Congo River. The Kahuzi Biega National Park The Kahuzi-Biega National Park is located near the city of Bukavu in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, it was established in 1970, taking its name from two large mountains: Mount Biega and Mount Kahuzi. Apart from its diversity of wildlife and flora, the park is home to very exceptional animals such as Mountain Gorillas, a species endemic to the DRC, and several elephants. It covers an area of 6000 Km². The Garamba National Park On an Area of about 5000 Km², in the North-Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo at the border with South Sudan, the park was established in 1938. The Garamba National Park is a great place to visit. Grassy savannas, dense dry forests, gallery forests, and magnificent vegetation in general make its biodiversity more unique and more attractive. Its wildlife is of incomparable wonder, it is so adorable to watch white rhinos, hundreds of elephants crossing its forest, giraffes tasting green grass, lions in its dry forest, and many other superb species. The Lomami National Park The Lomami National Park was established in 2016 and is located in the north-central part of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the middle of the Lomami River. It covers an area of over 8,000 km². It has great landscapes including beautiful savannahs, tropical forests and hills. The park also has a variety of species endemic to the DRC, such as the Congolese peafowls, the Bonobos, the Okapi, and a species of primate freshly discovered in the DRC the Lesula that you might like to visit as we highly recommend. Facts to know about the Congolese Biodiversity Okapi, Oriental lowland gorillas, and elephants are endangered species. Most of the species listed above are threatened by deforestation, meat trade, and poaching in general. The Virunga Park, Kundelungu, Salonga, Okapi Wildlife Reserve, Kahuzi-biega etc… are world heritage sites. The DRC also
THE MOVING STORY OF CONGOLESE PROPHET SIMON KIMBANGU
The prophet Simon Kimbangu is one of the greatest African figures and Congolese nationalism, a religious leader and founder of the Kimbangu movement. His spiritual life was transformed into a political change, because of his miracles of healing the sick and raising the dead, but much more because of his prophecy and his protest against Belgian colonial oppression. Let’s find out his life as a prophet, his movement, and his impact without forgetting his famous prophecy. Who was the Congolese prophet Simon? The youth of the prophet Simon Kimbangu The prophet Simon Kimbangu was born to a Protestant family on 12 September 1887 in Nkamba (considered to be the new Jerusalem, or the Holy Spirit living in Africa) a locality of Mbanza ngunugu in present-day Central Kongo province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and died on 12 September 1921 in Elisabethville, now Lubumbashi (DRC). His father Kuyela and his mother Luezi died just when the man who should be called a prophet was still a child. He was brought up by his aunt, Kinzembo, who was one of the first people to tell about Kimbangu’s youth. His name means “the one who reveals the hidden meaning of things” in Kikongo and he was the first black person to be baptized at the Baptist Mission Society. He was educated at the Baptist mission society in Ngombe Lutete directed by Cameron Nzangamene, where he later became a catechist in 1918, after being baptized on 4 July 1915 in the Tombe River with his wife Marie Muilu with whom he had three children Charles Kisolokele (1914), Paule Salomon Dialungana (1916) and Joseph Diangenda (1918). The first vision of the prophet Simon Kimbangu In 1918 he heard a strong voice speaking to him, telling him that he should go and make disciples, spread the word of God, and deliver his people from oppression. This was the first vision of the prophet Simon Kimbangu, that he was to lead his flock by proclaiming the word of God, prophesying, and delivering. Simon Kimbangu felt inferior to be able to fulfill this purpose, so he left for Leopoldville now Kinshasa, to try to escape the mission that had been entrusted to him in the dream. He worked there as a laborer, with a tough white boss and he tried other things, such as trading, but ended up losing his money. He started to become skeptical and thought that it was because he had left without the approval of the elders, whereas it was just the fact that he was to start his ministry as a prophet and preacher and that everything he could undertake was not working at all according to what God had made him understand in a vision. He decided to go back to his native village of Nkamba and to meet with the assembly of elders. There he worked for some time but to no avail. It is there that he begins his career as a prophet by performing his first miracle, traveling, preaching, and prophecies. The life journey of the Congolese prophet Simon Kimbangu The Simon Kimbangu miracles Simon Kimbangu’s first miracle was the healing of Kintondo on 6 April 1921, this date became known as the beginning of the prophet’s spiritual journey. He passed through many villages where he healed the sick and raised the dead. He went from village to village preaching to all. He had many cases of healings and resurrections and this made many people want to follow him and listen to his preaching, his prowess was known everywhere. The Protestant and Catholic missionaries were scared by the power of that man and began to try to put obstacles in his way. The Simon Kimbangu Prophecy On September 10, 1921, Simon Kimbangu predicted his arrest, the beginning of great tribulation on himself and his people, the liberation of the black race starting with the Congo and the whole of Africa. One of the most famous phrases is: “The white man will become black and the black man will become white”. The prophecy of Simon Kimbangu was very successful, it mentioned that there would be two liberations, one less difficult than the other. The first one will be the liberation of the Congo, which would be less difficult and the second one will be the liberation of Africa or of the black race which had been living for decades under oppression and humiliation. The black men will leave Africa and go to the West, they will be attached to the greed of the whites and many of them will die. Simon Kimbangu’s prophecy had indeed contributed to his arrest and death, not only the prophecy but also his movement which is so well documented. The movement of Kimbangism The movement of Kimbanguism is the movement that the Congolese prophet Simon Kimbangu initiated in 1921, together with his wife Marie Muilu. The preaching of the word found in the Bible, as well as the liberation of the black man, constituted the foundation of this movement. The important values of Kimbangism were and still are, the fight against fetishism or witchcraft, polygamy, persecution or ill-treatment of the black man, violence, alcohol, and dances. It gave a unique understanding of the Bible and a clear interpretation. It should be noted that the Bible was one of the great instruments used to dominate blacks by whites, relying on a myth according to which Noah had cursed one of his three sons Ham, who was black, that he would always and forever be unable to do anything in his life. The black man was forced to collaborate to be dominated because of this myth with an inferiority complex, all the shepherds or missionary pastors were white. Kimbanguism as a movement was the beginning of the liberation of the black Congolese race on the spiritual level. Colonial authorities’ reaction to Simon Kimbangu’s movement The Catholic missionaries and some of the Protestant missionaries were against his movement. The white colonists wanted to keep the political,
THE TRUTH ABOUT DATING CONGOLESE WOMEN
Interested in someone from a foreign land? Learn the ins and outs of dating Congolese women, from cultural values to relationship dos and don’ts. Today with business trips and study trips, we find ourselves in any country in the world far from our culture, and our habits at home, yet we might be interested in a person who does not share the same culture as us, or have different values from ours. This can’t stop us from loving him/her. Part of dating is choosing to meet someone who is the best match for us, or someone we are interested in or like. It all depends on how you define that, it’s all relative. But in this part of Congotalks243 dedicated to Congolese culture, we will give you some key points that you should take into account when deciding to date a Congolese woman who has resided there for at least 12 years and therefore shares this relationship culture. 1. Be Clear and Straightforward Being clear and straightforward is the golden rule for dating a Congolese woman. This means that Congolese women no matter what methods you use to conquer them, they will never chase you because Congolese culture compares it to a crime, generally, all Congolese women will never go to you to announce that they love you and that they are interested in you before you go to them first. It is already difficult for them to say yes, even when you are the one who started it. They have their way of saying yes after they find you interesting or that they like you, LOL! We are not saying that they are shy, far from it. Just be clear with your intentions, and the next part will explain how to get her hooked to win her heart or at least go out with her. 2. Be Romantic Have you ever heard a Congolese person complimenting someone? Especially in Lingala? We assure you that you will be amazed and moved, if you know of course how to speak this national Congolese language – great, otherwise take a tour on our Youtube channel to find at least the basics to understand and speak Lingala. Congolese people are very good talkers and classy. So be cute to convince a Congolese woman, she will want you to pamper her, not only with words but with actions, you should persuade her, raise her like a queen, cajole her, etc. If you don’t persevere, you will already be giving up from the beginning, but what they want is to feel beautiful like flowers. More attention, consideration, going out for a coffee or a pizza, a movie or a walk, usually makes them feel good and loved. They will eventually accept it, even though there may be exceptions, but that’s how it usually goes. Of course, once you are in a relationship with a Congolese woman, there are still challenges to overcome just like any other relationship, but overall, the ride will be worth it. 3. They May Not Take You To Their Family Everything goes well with Congolese women, as we mentioned at the beginning of this article. However, the African culture or particularly the Congolese culture is very different from that of the West, so to allow yourself to date women having the Congolese culture you must have courage, because you will have to adapt to their culture. According to African parents, precisely Congolese parents, women cannot afford to go out with men without the prospect of getting married, and it is the same for men too. This implies that Congolese women will never dare to introduce you to their family, which means that you will probably be dating, but it will be in secret or at least without the family’s knowledge. Introducing a man to the family is considered sacred and symbolic, which means that he is the man of the whole woman’s life, who will surely marry her, and the woman will not introduce anyone else to the family. So if in the future you go out with a Congolese woman, don’t get mad at her because she doesn’t introduce you to her family, or just try to manage to be serious with her, which means to consider marrying her and that she agrees too. Only then will you see her family. In the DRC, some cultures in the country require the woman to tell her mother about the man she loves and who wants to marry her, and this for a symbolic amount or gift called VOICE OR WORD, That is to say, this will give the woman the right to tell her mother that she has met the man who is going to marry her and after consultation with the father, the mother can give the right to the girl to come with the man to the house for the said presentation. After this will then come the dowry, and the marriage. But not all women in the DRC do this, there are exceptions on the way. 4. Having A50/50 Mindset What is called parity in the DRC, among women, exists but only in some cases. As far as dating Congolese women is concerned, keeping in mind that you are going to equally share the tasks or the responsibilities with her is a mistake. Well, it doesn’t work like that. As we have underlined a little bit above, Congolese women really appreciate it when they are cherished, when they are made to feel like queens, that they can be taken care of. In practice, this does not mean that they’re lazy, or that they will not take their side of the responsibility. It is just that in most cases, Congolese women prefer men that can lead; a Congolese woman loves the leadership of a man. It’s a way for them to feel safe, or in good hands, that they don’t have to be afraid of anything. So the story of sharing the bill for example in a restaurant
9 BEAUTIFUL CITIES/TOWNS IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO!
GET TO KNOW THE DR.CONGO You may want to know the most beautiful cities/towns in the Democratic Republic of Congo to think about visiting one day for its diverse fauna and flora, its waters, its mineral resources… In this cultural section of CongoTalks243, we will list 9 beautiful cities/towns of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Are you ready to travel to the DRC? Then keep reading. THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITIES/TOWNS IN THE DR.CONGO 1. Goma In the East of the DRC we find a very beautiful city to visit that deserves its first place among the 9 beautiful cities/towns in the DRC, Goma is the capital of the province of North Kivu but also the tourist capital of the DRC, much more because of Lake Kivu, the Serena hotel, the Nyiragongo mountain, the volcanoes, the Virunga park with the mountain gorillas, so it is the famous touristic center in DRC. Coltan is found there for the manufacture of smartphones. Swahili and French are spoken in Goma. 2. KINSHASA It’s true, being the capital, it’s normal that it appears on our list of 9 beautiful cities/towns in the DRC. Kinshasa or Kin is one of the beautiful cities to visit in congo, more Lingala and French are spoken but also Tshiluba, Kikongo, and Kiswahili. The seat of the Congolese government is full of warm places to visit like the N’sele park, the Congo river with the Mfuti square, the bonobo monkeys in Lola ya Bonobos, etc… It is based on agribusiness, textiles, and beers, the center of Congolese culture. 3. LUBUMBASHI Lubumbashi is the second-largest city in the DRC and is undoubtedly the economic capital of the country, the language is Swahili and French, there are also Lingala and some dialects, you can find several mining companies (copper, cobalt first producer in the world, etc.) great restaurants, a beautiful botanical garden. Also known as Lushi, it is the capital of the province of Haut-Katanga in the south of the DRC. A calm traffic, a calm living… Lubumbashi is one of the best places to live in DRC. 4. LIKASI Our top 9 beautiful cities/towns in the DRC does not exclude Likasi, a city in the province of Haut-Katanga in the south of the country, where Swahili, French, and a little Lingala are spoken. It is one of the best places to live in Congo. Cobalt and copper are produced and it is a city that has so much to offer too. It is a wonderful place where we find an attractive park, mountains, hills, and a mineralogical museum to show you a range of the world’s most sought-after minerals. 5. MUANDA The only maritime town of the DRC, Muanda in the province of Central Kongo. The original province of the Kongo kingdom, holds stories about Afro movements of Kimpa Vita and Simon kimbangu. Muanda is a town with a splendid and nice view of the Atlantic Ocean and is known for its beautiful beaches and great oil reserve. It is one of the best places to visit in DR. Congo. Swimming, fishing are as interesting as it’s warm atmosphere. Their main languages are Kikongo and Lingala. It deserves its place in the top 9 beautiful cities/towns of the DRC. 6. BUKAVU The capital of the province of South Kivu, 60% of the world’s coltan reserves are found here, it is a very welcoming city where Swahili and French are spoken, there is also an extremely interesting national park, the Kahuzi-biega, which is one of the best places to visit in Congo. It hosts the eastern lowland gorillas. 7. KOLWEZI Kolwezi is the capital of the province of Lualaba in the south of the DR.CONGO. It is also one of the beautiful cities, where we find copper (used for electric cables), cobalt (for batteries), uranium (for nuclear power stations), and radium. The main languages are Kiswahili and French. There are various beautiful places to visit. 8. KALEMI Kalemi is the capital of Tanganyika province, it is known for its fish trade but also for its lake Tanganyika the largest lake in Africa, the second oldest freshwater lake in the world, and the beaches. It holds much more important minerals of copper, cobalt, etc. The main languages are Kiswahili and French, even Lingala is spoken. 9. MBUJI-MAYI The capital of Kasai-Oriental, Mbuji-maï is one of the most beautiful cities/towns of the DRC, it is famous for its large Diamond reserve as in the 1950s it had got the largest Diamond deposits in the world. The DRC produces almost ⅕ of the world’s industrial Diamond production. The language of the city is Tshiluba and French but Lingala is also spoken. CONCLUSION The Democratic Republic of Congo has got many nice places, we have listed 9 beautiful cities/towns to visit. Thanks to its interesting parks, various natural resources, waters, minerals, beaches and botanical gardens, we discover the diversity of Congolese culture but also African culture. So to discover even more about the diversity of Congolese culture we invite you to read other exciting articles on Congotalks243 or follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
COST OF LIVING AND TRAVELING IN DR CONGO: A COMPREHENSIVE BREAKDOWN
When planning a trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), a primary concern for many is understanding the associated expenses. Thanks to the insights from Felicite’s YouTube video on her channel, CongoTalks243, travelers can gain a comprehensive view of the costs. Through her channel, Felicite showcases the history, culture, and lifestyle of the DR Congo beyond the mainstream narratives. This article provides an in-depth breakdown, relying on her experience during her recent visit. DR Congo Trip: Cost Guide from Felicite’s Journey & Living Expenses DR Congo is the largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa, both in terms of area and population. With its vast rainforests, the Congo River, and multiple ethnic groups, it offers an unparalleled experience for visitors. Understanding this landscape can be crucial for cost planning, for instance, traveling between provinces might be costlier due to the vast distances. Also, costs can vary significantly between urban centers like Kinshasa and rural areas. Traveling to the DR Congo, a central African country renowned for its rich history and vibrant culture can be an enticing adventure. Felicite’s journey (in 2022) began with a flight that cost her 615 Euros. Along with additional expenses like Airbnb accommodations in Kinshasa amounting to 351 Euros, a mandatory COVID-19 test costing 45 USD, and an airport tax of 55 USD, her initial trip costs quickly added up. This detailed breakdown, inspired by a personal experience, aims to shed light on the costs involved in visiting DR Congo. Understanding DR Congo: A Historical and Cultural Glimpse The DR Congo, formerly known as Zaire, is home to a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and ethnic groups. The DRC’s history is filled with tales of kingdoms like the Kongo, Luba, and Lunda that once thrived in this region. Its colonial past, under Belgian rule, has left an indelible mark on its cities, infrastructure, and the psyche of its people. Today, its vibrant culture is a reflection of its varied past – a blend of traditional African roots with European influences. Understanding this historical and cultural backdrop can make your journey to the DRC even more enriching. Exploring the Rich History and Culture DR Congo isn’t just about modern experiences; it’s a land steeped in history and culture. For those looking to delve deeper: Museums: Beyond the mentioned museum with an entry fee, Kinshasa boasts other museums that provide a deeper dive into the nation’s history. Some are free, while others may have a nominal charge. Local Festivals: If your visit coincides with a local festival or event, don’t miss out. These are perfect windows into the Congolese way of life. Historical Sites: The country is dotted with remnants of its colonial past. These sites offer a unique blend of Congolese and Belgian influences and are worth (n0t) a visit. Arts and Music: Congo’s music scene is vibrant and has historically influenced many international genres. Dive into the local music scene, attend live performances, or even take a traditional music workshop if available. Local Cuisine: Beyond regular meals, explore the local delicacies and traditional foods of DR Congo. From grilled fish to cassava leaves and the staple fufu, the Congolese palette is diverse and flavorful. Travel to DR Congo: The Major Expenses Flight and Accommodation Perhaps the most significant expenses for many travelers are flights and accommodation. For our traveler, Felicite, her flight ticket came in at a cool 615 Euros. When combined with her Airbnb accommodation in Kinshasa for 11 nights at 351 Euros, her preliminary expenses totaled around 967 Euros. Transportation Costs in DR Congo Within Kinshasa While in the bustling city of Kinshasa, transportation costs can vary widely. Travelers should be prepared to pay anywhere from 500 to 2500 Congolese francs per connection, depending on the distance and type of transport. Beyond Kinshasa A memorable journey from Kinshasa to Kikwit, a base where Felicite spent some time, highlighted another transportation cost, coming in at 55 USD for a round trip. Such trips outside the main city can offer richer experiences but also come with added expenses. The Delights and Prices of Eating Out in DR Congo While DR Congo, and Kinshasa, in particular, offer an array of dining experiences, it’s worth noting that where you choose to eat can significantly influence your overall food budget. Opting for local markets, as Felicite did, can lead to savings and more authentic culinary adventures. However, eating out, especially in more upscale establishments, will increase daily expenses. Average Daily Expenses in DR Congo For a comprehensive experience like Felicite’s, which included transportation, dining, and other activities, travelers might look at an average daily expense. It is influenced by choices such as dining out or cooking, visiting paid attractions, or indulging in shopping. Budgeting for a Trip to DR Congo While major expenses like flights and accommodations might be predictable, it’s the myriad of other costs, from transportation to food to unexpected expenses, that can add up. For instance, the seemingly minor costs, like the COVID-19 test at 45 USD in 2022 or the airport tax at 55 USD, contributed to the unexpected expenses. Even personal choices, like Felicite’s decision to buy toiletries in advance, can influence the total cost. Her entire trip rounded up to a bit over $1,500, indicating the importance of having a cushion in your budget. Making Smart Choices: How to Save Money while Travelling in DR Congo Lodging: If possible, consider staying with family or friends. This can lead to significant savings. Felicite saved around 250 Euros on accommodation and food by staying with her family. Eating: Embrace local markets. Not only are they cheaper, but they also offer a chance to savour authentic Congolese food. Traveling: If you have multiple places to visit, plan them in a way to minimize back and forth, thereby reducing transportation costs. Safety Tips for Travellers to DR Congo While DR Congo offers a wealth of experiences, it’s essential to be aware of safety. Like many places globally, certain regions can be volatile due to political unrest
THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF SIMON KIMBANGU: A REVOLUTIONARY FIGURE IN AFRICAN HISTORY
In the 20th century, the Congo (now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo) was under the colonial rule of King Leopold II. Although the country was blessed with great natural wealth, it was also marked by terrible human suffering; this is when Simon Kimbangu was born. The life of Simon Kimbangu It was in this context that Simon Kimbangu was born, an ordinary man like you and me. Raised in a Christian family, he was educated by Baptist missionaries and worked as a carpenter until 1921, when he claimed to have received a divine revelation in a dream. He then claimed to have received a divine call to preach the Gospel. Simon Kimbangu began to preach and performed miraculous acts, such as healing the sick, the blind, the lame, the deaf and lepers. He raised the dead, predicted the future and mastered nature. He preached a message of hope and liberation for black people, who suffered from colonial exploitation and racism. Some of his followers considered him the son of God and called him Papa Simon or Ngunza (the envoy). Simon Kimbangu attracted thousands of followers who witnessed his miraculous powers. He preached a message of hope for black liberation, denounced the injustice and violence of the colonial system and warned his followers to resist. He began to affirm the dignity and identity of African culture and spirituality while rejecting some of the aspects of Western Christianity that he considered oppressive or irrelevant. Simon Kimbangu’s popularity and influence alarmed colonial authorities who saw him as a threat to their power and order. They accused him of being a rebel leader and a sorcerer. They subsequently sent troops to arrest him and his followers, but they faced strong resistance from the local population. After several confrontations, Simon Kimbangu voluntarily surrendered in October 1921, hoping to avoid further bloodshed. He was tried by a military tribunal and sentenced to death. However, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by the Belgian king who feared that his execution would make him a martyr. Simon Kimbangu was transferred to a prison in Elisabethville (now Lubumbashi), where he spent the rest of his life in difficult conditions until his death in 1951 at the age of 64. The legacy of Simon Kimbangu and his Black Christian movement Simon Kimbangu is considered one of the most influential prophets in sub-Saharan Africa. His movement survived his death and grew to become one of the largest and most influential African-initiated churches in the world. After Simon Kimbangu’s death, his followers continued to worship their leader by practising his teachings and rituals, despite persecution and repression by colonial authorities. Gatherings and publications were banned, property was confiscated, and leaders were arrested. Despite these difficulties, Simon Kimbangu’s movement survived and evolved over time. In 1959, Joseph Diangienda, Simon Kimbangu’s son, took over as spiritual leader of the movement and founded the Kimbanguist Church. This church has become one of the largest and most influential African-initiated churches in the world, with millions of members in Congo and other countries. In addition to religious practice, the Kimbanguist Church has engaged in social and humanitarian work, building schools, hospitals, orphanages and cooperatives, as well as participating in interfaith dialogue and peace initiatives. The Kimbanguist church has played an important role in Congolese nationalism and politics. It supported the independence movement led by Patrice Lumumba in 1960 and opposed the dictatorship of Mobutu Sese Seko from 1965 to 1997. However, the church has also suffered from internal divisions and conflicts between its leaders and factions. Today, the Kimbanguist church is led by Simon Kimbangu Kiangani, the grandson of Simon Kimbangu. He faces various challenges and opportunities in leading his church into the future. Despite the obstacles, the Kimbanguist movement is a legacy that has survived the death of its founder and continues to grow and influence religious, social and political life in the Congo and beyond. The movement inspired and supported the struggle for independence and democracy in Congo and other African countries. They challenged corrupt and violent post-colonial regimes and advocated for human rights and social justice. They used to participate in pan-African and anti-apartheid movements and showed solidarity with other oppressed peoples in the world. Finally, the Kimbangu movement helped create a new society for blacks by fostering a sense of community and solidarity among their supporters and by providing social services and economic opportunities. They promoted education, health, morality and ethics, gender equality and family values. They have also worked to improve the lives and well-being of their members and neighbours. If you want to know more about Congolese history in general, we recommend you to follow us on your favourite social media platforms: Instagram (@congotalks243 and @yafelie), Twitter (@congotalks243), TikTok (@yafelie and @congotalks243), Facebook (@CongoTalks243) and LinkedIn (@CongoTalks243), and subscribe to our YouTube channel. ✅ How to support our works: PAYPAL: https://paypal.me/CongoTalks243 For business inquiries related to CongoTalks243, you can reach out at info@congotalks243.com.
THE SPECIAL BOND OF WAGENYA FISHERMEN AND THE CONGO RIVER – DRC
This article aims to explain the Wagenya people and their special bond with the Congo River in DRC. The entire world fishes but not all the entire world is using the same fishing methods. Traditional and modern fishing methods both have some common points, however, in some regions of the world fishing is not only about catching some small aquatic creatures, it is rather an art, a life and an ancestral heritage which makes it different from other fishing practices. Let’s talk about the Wagenia fishermen and the Congo River. Wagenia location The Wagenia people are a community of people and a village based in the Kisangani region located in the Democratic Republic of Congo which stretches along the Congo River and the Lualaba. The Wagenia fishermen are located 5 Km from Kisangani city in the Tshopo northern province of the DRC. Origin of the Wagenia The Wagenia, commonly referred to as the Enya, are a Bantu ethnic group from Central Congo. Originating in the 17th century, the name ‘Wagenia’ derives from the primary tribe name, ‘Enya’, which settled around the Congo River and Lualaba. Their ancestors, residing in the same regions, are credited with a unique traditional fishing technique that is known worldwide. We will be explaining more about the Congo River and Wagenia fishing method in the next paragraphs. Before we talk about the Wagenia fishermen with their emblematic and unique fishing method let’s first describe the Congo River so that you can understand why the fishing method is known to be unique in the world. The Congo River The Congo River, located in central Africa, from the Katanga province up to the Atlantic Ocean, is the second African longest river after the Nile River, and the 8th world’s longest river. It is famous for its more than 3 million Km2 of basin size, second in the world after the Amazon River by its discharge and for the fact that it’s the world’s deepest River with 212m. The Congo River has always been one of the wonders of the DRC, which makes the country the greatest African hydroelectric power with the Inga dam. The Lualaba is the main source of the Congo River before falling into the Atlantic Ocean, the Lualaba has a series of 7 falls commonly called the Boyoma Falls or the Stanley Falls, the discharge of these falls is one of the important in the world over 17000 ms, and the last falls of the Boyoma falls series is the Wagenia falls and that is where the Lualaba is transformed into the Congo river. The Boyoma Falls is one of the incredibly beautiful places you should consider visiting in DRC. Try to watch and appreciate those wonderful places described on our YouTube channel. Now let’s explain the Wagenia fishermen of the Congo River and why their method is known to be unique. The Wagenia Fishermen and their Fishing Method Wagenia people are trying to keep their ancestral practice alive even though it might not be easy. So what is the Wagenia fishing method? The Wagenia fishing method in the Congo River consists of using ingenious wooden scaffolding tools, they use them with incredible intelligence; although the Congo River flow is extremely high and dangerous, the Wagenia fishermen do not hesitate to jump into the waterfalls of the Boyoma Falls, usually called the Wagenia falls. As mentioned before, the Boyoma Falls are one of the most dangerous in the World. The Wagenia fishermen perch precariously on wooden scaffolds stretching over turbulent rapids of the Congo River, they are hauling up huge wicker baskets against the water flow in the hope of catching up some Tilapias, Nil perch, etc. Wagenia fishermen are preserving and passing this ancestral fishing method from father to son. The economy in the region is not too good and fishing in the Congo River is considered its main source of revenue, although the fish caught are not enough to maintain stability in Wagenia village, it is still an important ancestral heritage and culture. The site is warmly receiving different tourists from around the world to see its culture and nature. 10 facts about the Wagenia Fishermen Historical Roots: The Wagenia fishing technique dates back centuries and is deeply rooted in the traditions of the people living near the Lualaba and Congo Rivers. Unique Scaffolding System: The Wagenia use a distinctive fishing method, constructing wooden tripods and nets across the rapids to trap fish from the fast-flowing waters. Dangerous Waters: Despite the treacherous currents of the Congo River and the dangers of the Boyoma Falls, Wagenia fishermen exhibit remarkable courage and skill in their fishing methods. Seasonal Fishing: The fishing method, while traditional, is typically practised during specific seasons when certain fish species migrate and are more abundant in the Congo River. Cultural Significance: The fishing technique is not just a means of sustenance but holds significant cultural and ceremonial importance for the Wagenia community. Communal Effort: The construction and maintenance of the wooden scaffolding are often communal efforts, highlighting the strong sense of community among the Wagenia. Economic Importance: The catch from the river plays a pivotal role in the local economy, with fish being a primary source of food and income for many families in the region. Environmental Connection: The Wagenia have an intimate understanding of the river’s ecosystem, often recognizing subtle changes in water patterns, fish behaviour, or environmental cues that others may not easily recognize. Boyoma Falls Connection: The Boyoma Falls, also known as the Wagenia Falls, are intrinsically linked with the identity of the Wagenia fishermen. The name itself signifies the deep bond between the community and this natural wonder. Tourist Attraction: The unique fishing technique and the bravery displayed by the Wagenia fishermen have turned the area into a tourist attraction. Many come to witness this age-old tradition and the symbiotic relationship between the fishermen and the river. Closing through The Wagenia fishermen live in the Kisangani region Tshopo northern province of the DRC around the Congo