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CultureGrams
World Edition
2014
Congo-Kinshasa
(Democratic Republic of the Congo)
temperatures average between 70 and 85°F (20–30°C) all
year.
BACKGROUND
Land and Climate
Area (sq. mi.): 905,355
Area (sq. km.): 2,344,858
History
Origins and Colonization
Bantu peoples from western Africa migrated into the Congo
Basin thousands of years ago. Several kingdoms existed in the
centuries before Europeans arrived. The Kongo Kingdom
controlled the southwest when the Portuguese arrived in the
late 1400s. Little European intervention took place until the
late 1800s, when Leopold II of Belgium formed an
international trading company to exploit the Congo region's
rich resources. The so-called Congo Free State, recognized by
the Conference of Berlin in 1884, became, in effect, a feudal
estate. Leopold enslaved the people and plundered the land.
His harsh treatment of the region eventually aroused an
international outcry, and the Belgian parliament was moved
to seize the domain from King Leopold in 1908. The area
then became known as the Belgian Congo.
Independence and Unrest
After World War II, and following the trend in much of
Africa, the Congolese negotiated with Belgium for their
independence. In 1960, the new country was named the
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Independence leader
Patrice Lumumba became prime minister, but soon after the
first elections, the province of Katanga in the southeast
seceded, Lumumba was assassinated by political rivals, and
unrest spread throughout the region. United Nations (UN)
troops could not restore peace.
Mobutu Sese Seko eventually seized power in 1965 with
help from Western nations. In 1971, he renamed the country
Congo-Kinshasa, officially called the Democratic Republic of
the Congo, covers an area roughly the size of Algeria or the
United States east of the Mississippi River. Most of the
country lies within the vast lowland basin of the Congo River,
the world's fifth largest river and one of Africa's most
renowned waterways. The country features tropical rain
forests in the central and western regions, grasslands in the
north and south, and mountains in the east. The Mitumba
Mountains, on the nation's eastern border, are part of Africa's
Great Rift system. Other major mountain ranges include the
Ruwenzori and Virunga, both in the northeast. Garamba
National Park, on the northeastern border, shelters rare
species such as the okapi (one of the only living relatives of
the giraffe) and white rhino. Wildlife poaching is a significant
threat to these and other sensitive populations.
Congo-Kinshasa's climate varies somewhat with elevation,
though much of it is tropical. Temperatures in the eastern
mountains and the southeastern savanna are cool from May to
September, and they occasionally drop below freezing. The
rain forests experience high humidity and warm temperatures
throughout the year. Annual rainfall varies from 40 inches
(100 centimeters) in the south to 80 inches (200 centimeters)
in the central Congo River Basin. The dry season is from June
to August, when southern temperatures cool. Otherwise,
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the Republic of Zaire, after the Portuguese name for the
Congo River. Mobutu ruled a brutal one-party dictatorship
and robbed the national treasury to amass a personal fortune.
Under international and domestic pressure, he lifted the ban
on political parties in 1990. As Mobutu became locked in a
power struggle with his opponents, much of the nation's
infrastructure deteriorated. Rampaging underpaid soldiers,
corruption, and a collapsed economy plunged the country into
chaos.
Ethnic Conflict
Total collapse was averted with minor political reform in
1994. However, conflict in Rwanda began to spill over into
Zaire as one million Hutu refugees from Rwanda swelled
makeshift camps in eastern Zaire. When armed Hutus from
among these refugees began killing ethnic Tutsis in Zaire in
1996, the Rwandan government organized a Tutsi militia that
quickly defeated the Hutus. Most Hutu refugees were later
sent back to Rwanda. The Tutsi militia soon allied with the
forces of Laurent Kabila, a longtime Congolese rebel.
Kabila's forces marched rapidly on major cities, often being
joined by Zairian troops as they surrendered. In May 1997,
Kabila entered Kinshasa. He declared himself president and
changed Zaire's name back to the Democratic Republic of the
Congo. Mobutu died in exile in September 1997.
Regional Conflict
Promises of democracy were tainted by Kabila's ban on
political parties and suppression of political demonstrations.
In August 1998, many of Kabila's allies accused him of
corruption, nepotism, and an anti-Tutsi bias. They joined with
ethnic Tutsi rebels in the east to spark a new round of civil
war. Angola, Zimbabwe, and Namibia fought on Kabila's
behalf. Rwanda and Uganda allied with the rebel movement,
which soon controlled most of eastern Congo-Kinshasa. The
rebels split into two factions in 1999; Uganda backed one (the
Movement for the Liberation of Congo, or MLC) and Rwanda
the other (the Rally for Congolese Democracy, or RCD). All
six nations and the two rebel groups signed a 1999 cease-fire,
but it was promptly violated.
Violent Peace
In January 2001, Kabila was assassinated. His son Joseph
Kabila took over as president and initiated peace measures
that led to a treaty in December 2002. The war, which had
cost three million lives, was declared over. Foreign troops left
the country, and the leaders of the MLC and the RCD were
granted positions in a transitional government. While the
peace agreement held for a few years, heavy fighting between
government and rebel forces, and among rebel forces
themselves, erupted a few years later. Joseph Kabila Presidency
In 2006, Joseph Kabila was elected president in the nation's
first free elections since independence. He was reelected
president with 49 percent of the vote in late 2011. The 2011
election was plagued with logistical problems and widespread
allegations of voting irregularities and voter intimidation.
Several people were killed in demonstrations both leading up
to and following the election. Kabila faces enormous
challenges as president, as Congo-Kinshasa is widely
considered the least developed country in the world and a
failed state. Dozens of armed groups continue to fight each
other, especially in the east, causing thousands to become
refugees, many of whom flee to Uganda. In 2013, the UN
Security Council approved the creation of a combat force to
target and disarm these groups and began using unarmed
surveillance drones in the region.
Recent Events and Trends
• Peace agreement: In February 2013, 11 African countries
signed a UN-sponsored peace agreement to help end conflict
in Congo-Kinshasa. Many rebel groups operating in the
country have foreign ties, and international cooperation is
seen as vital to establishing and maintaining peace in the
region.
• M23 surrender: In November 2013, the M23 rebel group
announced that it was laying down its arms. The declaration
was motivated by a combination of increased international
pressure against Rwandan support of the rebels, offensive
actions by the UN force, and the efforts of a reorganized and
improved Congolese army. The Congolese government
signed a peace deal with M23 in December; however, the UN
has accused M23 fighters of regrouping in Rwanda. • Attack on the capital: In December 2013, dozens of armed
men attacked sites in Kinshasa before being overcome by the
country's army, who killed at least 46 of the attackers.
Religious leader and former presidential candidate Joseph
Mukungubila claimed his followers were responsible for the
attack, which appeared to be an attempt to seize power.
THE PEOPLE
Population
Population: 75,507,308
Population Growth Rate: 2.54%
Urban Population: 34%
More than two hundred distinct African ethnic groups are
found in Congo-Kinshasa. The four largest tribes—Mongo,
Luba, Kongo, and Mangbetu-Azande—make up about 45
percent of the total population. The Mongo, Luba, Hutu, and
Kongo are Bantu groups, a distinction based more on the
language they speak (Bantu) than on cultural or ethnic
characteristics. The largest non-Bantu group is the
Mangbetu-Azande. Smaller groups include the Tutsi, Pygmy,
and various Afro-Asiatic peoples. The few Western foreigners
in the country live mostly in Kinshasa's Gombe
neighborhood. West Africans (known as Ndingari), Lebanese,
and Indians form an important merchant class.
Congo-Kinshasa is also home to large populations of refugees
who have fled conflicts in neighboring countries.
Most Congolese ethnic groups coexist in peace on a daily
basis. They intermarry, live in mixed communities, and
handle their differences without violence. Tensions rise when
one group believes another has an advantage or level of
control over something, but this infrequently leads to fighting.
Political foes have exploited such tensions in civil conflicts,
especially in the east, where opposing groups from other
countries reside. This has been the prime contributor to the
nation's ethnic violence that does occur.
About 44 percent of the population is younger than age 15.
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Though a minority of people live in cities, the urban
population is growing rapidly.
valued and people work hard to find a way to pay for their
children's schooling.
Language
Broadcasting, local business, daily communication, and
primary school instruction occur in one of the four national
Bantu languages: Lingala (in Kinshasa and the west),
Kikongo (in the west and southwest), Tshiluba (in the central
and southern regions), and Swahili (in the east). Most people
speak their own ethnic language as well as one or more of the
four national languages. Urban residents might speak a
mixture of local languages and French.
French is the country's official language and is used in
international commerce, education, and government
administration. In urban areas, French is the most widely
spoken language. Most Congolese speak at least two
languages, one of them nearly always being French. Because
French is the common language throughout the country, many
of the country's ethnic languages have incorporated French
words and phrases.
Personal Appearance
A neat and clean appearance is important to Congolese; they
keep clothing clean and ironed. Western-style clothing is
common in most urban areas. Most of this clothing is second
hand, imported from the United States. Clothes are usually
purchased from street vendors called chailleurs. Congolese
women wear a long, tailored skirt, called a pagne or liputa,
made of a 5-yard length of fabric. They usually pair the skirt
with a blouse made from the same material. Older women
prefer traditional clothing, but younger women may wear
pants. Adults rarely wear shorts or immodest attire. However,
children wear shorts. Some rural Congolese continue to wear
traditional clothing or traditional items mixed with Western
clothing.
People keep their hair well groomed, and disheveled hair
is not acceptable. Men generally wear their hair short. Some
young men have well-kept, short dreadlocks. Nearly all
women and girls have hair extensions worn in elaborate
braids. Friends and relatives generally do one another's hair,
and few people go to professional hairdressers.
Religion
Eighty percent of the population is Christian: 50 percent is
Roman Catholic and 20 percent belongs to various Protestant
organizations. Another 10 percent participates in the
indigenous Christian sect known as Kimbanguism, a
Protestant offshoot established in the early 20th century by
Simon Kimbangu. Many Christians also mix traditional
animist beliefs with Christianity. About 10 percent of the
people are Muslim, residing mainly in the east but also in
Kinshasa. The remaining 10 percent practices other religions,
such as traditional beliefs. Regardless of one's faith, religion
plays an important role in daily life. People regularly attend
worship services and participate in public prayers.
CUSTOMS AND COURTESIES
Greetings
In urban areas, men and women generally shake hands, smile,
and greet each other verbally. Upon entering a room for the
first time, a person shakes hands with each individual. Close
friends greet first with a handshake, followed by a hug and
three alternating kisses to the cheek (men might simply touch
alternating temples). The urban elite greet with the French
term Bonjour (Good day). But Mbote (Hello) is more
common. It is followed by Sango nini? (What's new?) among
Lingala speakers. Outside urban areas, men usually do not
shake hands with women but will shake hands with men.
Some rural women greet men by clapping their hands a few
times and bowing slightly. In the eastern and southeastern
parts of the country, the Swahili greeting Jambo (Hello) is
common.
General Attitudes
Most Bantu peoples share a common cultural heritage,
distinguished by their genuine concern for the welfare of
others. They will nearly always share their food with others in
need, no matter how little they may have themselves.
Congolese are courteous and friendly. They laugh easily and
enjoy living. Congolese are careful not to offend.
In many groups, speech is often abrupt. Congolese may
make requests without a “Please” and accept help without a
“Thank you.” Indeed, Lingala was specifically promoted by
Belgian colonialists for use in official institutions (such as the
police force) because of its directness. Even if a person does
not say “Please” (Bolimbisi in Lingala or Tafadhali in
Swahili) or “Thank you” (Botondi in Lingala or Aksanti in
Swahili), he or she will show gratitude or politeness through
actions.
The desires of family, friends, and colleagues are expected
to override personal concerns. Individualism at the expense of
the family is frowned upon. Time is elastic; Lingala uses the
same word, lobi, for both “yesterday” and “tomorrow.”
People are considered more important than schedules, and
appointments or events may begin as much as an hour late.
Because there are so few wealthy people in Congolese
society, they are accorded great respect. Education is highly
Gestures
Pointing directly at a person with the index finger is
considered impolite. One beckons by waving all fingers.
Objects are passed with the right hand or both hands, never
the left alone, as the left is traditionally reserved for personal
hygiene. When shaking hands, if one's right hand is soiled,
one offers the wrist instead. Hand gestures often accompany
or replace verbal communication. For example, to indicate a
bus or place is completely full, one taps the fist two or three
times with an open palm.
Visiting
Visiting is important to the Congolese, and hospitality is
customary. Most visiting occurs in the home. Family and
close friends often drop by unannounced, but strangers are
expected to make arrangements in advance. When a person
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first visits a Congolese home, a gift is not appropriate.
Visitors may give small gifts, such as food or an item for the
house, after a relationship has been established. A visitor
must be invited in before entering a home, and he or she must
be invited to sit before being seated. Good friends and
extended family members have greater liberty to make
themselves at home. Children are expected to greet each adult
with a handshake and perhaps a kiss on the cheek. They
usually are then dismissed while the adults socialize.
If a Congolese offers to share a meal, the guest is expected
first to show reluctance to join the host's table. But the guest
should ultimately accept the offer. Not doing so is impolite.
Even if guests are not hungry, they should try some of the
food as a gesture of goodwill. The Congolese often judge
guests' sincerity by the way they eat. If hosts do not offer a
meal, they usually serve refreshments. At the end of the visit,
it is common for the host family to offer money to guests to
pay for the taxi or bus ride home.
extended family provide a vast network that an individual can
tap into in times of crisis, especially in urban settings. It is
also through this network that people raise money for a
marriage or a funeral. In recent years, the influence of these
tribal networks has begun to diminish as families become less
tightly knit and other groups (such as evangelical churches,
neighborhood groups, and informal traders' guilds) spring up
to take their place.
Parents and Children
Children are expected to be polite and obedient to adults.
They take on chores early in life, and older girls help their
mothers with most daily tasks.
Gender Roles
Women care for the children and household. Because many
women sell produce and goods at the market, they are often
the primary force in the informal economy. Although
women's rights lag far behind much of the world, some strides
were made during Mobutu's presidency. Women were
appointed to prominent positions within the government, and
the right to vote was opened up to women. Advocacy groups
are currently pressing the country's lawmakers for greater
legal gender equality.
Eating
Congolese eat a light breakfast (perhaps tea and bread or
leftovers from the day before) and a larger meal in the late
afternoon or early evening. Meals usually are eaten with the
fingers of the right hand only. When Congolese use utensils,
they observe the continental style of eating; the fork is in the
left hand and the knife remains in the right. Men and women
eat from separate communal bowls. When sharing a bowl,
people eat only from the space directly in front of them. Only
the eldest person is permitted to distribute meat with both
hands to those eating the meal. Diners wash their hands
before and after each meal.
Housing
Most Congolese live in small villages and subsist by farming
small plots of land or catching fish. A typical rural dwelling is
a one-room, mud-brick hut. Nearby is the garden plot, which
may contain cassava trees, banana trees, and other crops.
Rural homes are without electricity, and water is collected
from streams or wells.
Many urban houses date to the colonial era and exist in
varying degrees of disrepair. Three generations of a family
often live together. If more than eight people share the house,
a few of them will likely sleep in the living room. In
Kinshasa, most neighborhoods have electricity 24 hours a
day, but there are regular blackouts. These occur partly
because the equipment of the public electricity utility is
extremely old and because, throughout the city, people
illegally connect their homes to cables and do not pay for
electricity. Water is also a problem in Kinshasa. The poor
quality of the pipes ensures that there are regular
interruptions. Most urban residents rent their homes. Before a
renter moves in, he or she usually has to pay a deposit of
between five and eight month's rent.
LIFESTYLE
Family
Structure
Although family structure varies greatly between ethnic
groups, they all place emphasis on group goals and family
welfare. Large extended families usually live under the same
roof or in a group of closely joined homes. Family structure
may be either matrilineal or patrilineal. In most areas,
families are patrilineal. In this structure, the father and his
family play a prominent role in family life. In western
Congo-Kinshasa, families are mostly matrilineal; the mother's
brother, rather than her husband, is the male with the greatest
authority in the family. Even in areas where families are
structured around the mother's family, women themselves
hold very little authority in their families or in society.
Throughout the country, married couples usually live with the
man's family. Urban families, particularly among the more
affluent, include fewer relatives in the extended family, and
the oldest man is usually the leader of the family.
When a man dies, his family becomes responsible for his
wives and children. Orphans are sometimes abandoned when
the extended family cannot afford to provide for them. These
abandoned children (called shégués) are growing in number
in the streets of large urban areas.
The tribe, the clan (a subgroup of the tribe), and the
Dating and Marriage
Dating and Courtship
Traditionally, casual dating occurred only among the wealthy
in large urban areas, while dating in rural areas usually led to
marriage. Today, casual dating is increasingly common
throughout the country. In rural areas, teenagers meet at
weekend dances, at school, or in public places. In cities,
opportunities for young people to meet also include concerts,
parties, patriotic or political events, church services, and
choirs. Marriage is considered the ideal arrangement. If a
woman becomes pregnant out of wedlock, her family
pressures the father to marry her and take care of the child.
Unmarried women are considered of lower status than
married women and may be pressured by their families to
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marry. The minimum legal age for marriage is 18 for men and
15 for women.
Engagement
The process of arranging and finalizing a marriage can take
months and is very expensive. After a couple decides to
marry, the engagement is finalized in two steps. First, the
woman introduces the man to her family (if they have not
already met). A small group of important extended family
members from each side attends this meeting. The bride's
family pays for refreshments. This is usually the only
marriage-related cost they are required to pay. The groom's
parents give a summary of what the bride-price will include
and arrange a day to deliver it. The summary specifies which
parent each item will be given to. The bride-price is based on
the woman's background, mainly in terms of her education. A
son's marriage is a major financial undertaking for a family,
and members of the extended family may contribute to the
bride-price, which can include both cash and gifts (such as
food, clothing, and electronics). The second step in
formalizing an engagement is settling the bride-price. The
groom's family brings the items included in the bride-price to
the bride's family's home. Negotiations on the price continue,
with each family appointing a speaker to handle the
negotiations. Once the bride-price has been settled, the bride
is called into the room. She takes the bride-price from the
groom and gives it to her father. Her father blesses her and
asks her to serve a drink to the groom. Both families cheer
and applaud, and a party is held.
Weddings
After the bride price is exchanged, the couple applies for a
civil marriage certificate. Family members and friends usually
accompany them, and the group gathers at a family member's
house to celebrate. A traditional ceremony is held. The
woman wears a liputa, and the man dresses in Western attire.
A Christian couple also holds a church wedding. The bride
changes into a Western-style wedding dress for this
ceremony. The couple's godparents play an important part in
the ceremony. Godparents are given the responsibility to act
as role models for the couple and to help resolve any issues
within the marriage. After the ceremony, relatives and friends
gather for a festive party that often lasts late into the night.
Muslim weddings proceed in a similar fashion. If a woman
has never been married, her father is considered her guardian,
and the couple must get his permission before marrying.
Women who have been divorced or widowed do not require
their father's permission. Once the couple is engaged, they
begin a series of chaperoned meetings to get to know each
other. Most families wait to break the news of the
engagement until the couple has had some time to get to
know one another, as some engagements are broken off at this
point. Once the couple is ready to proceed with the
engagement, the two families agree to a bride-price. After the
bride-price has been paid, the wedding ceremony is
scheduled. The wedding ceremony (called akd-ul-nikaah,
“marriage contract”) is usually held at a mosque. An imam
(religious leader) drafts a contract between the groom and the
bride's father. The contract states that the man will treat his
wife according to the laws of Islam and that he accepts the
responsibilities that come with marriage. It also serves to
transfer responsibility for the woman from her father to her
husband. The ceremony is conducted by the imam, who
verifies that the bride-price has been paid, recites verses from
the Qur'an, prays, and validates the marriage contract. After
the wedding, a festive party (called a waleemah) is held.
Guests gather for eating, dancing, singing, and giving gifts to
the couple.
The high cost of paying a bride-price prevents some young
people from marrying. A man whose family cannot afford to
help pay a bride-price may choose to live with a woman
instead of marrying. However, the couple, especially the
woman, will face much social pressure to marry.
Polygamy
Polygamy is common in the country, particularly in rural
areas. When a man takes a second wife, the marriage does not
include any civil or religious ceremonies. The position of
second wife (sometimes referred to as deuxième bureau, a
French term meaning “second office”) is considered to be
lower in status than that of first wife. In most cases, each wife
maintains a separate home for herself and her children. For
some men, taking a second wife is a sign of status, showing
that they are able to support two women. In certain tribes, it is
acceptable for a man to take a second wife if his first wife is
unable to produce children or if the couple has children of
only one gender. However, with the rise in evangelical
Christian churches and increased exposure to Western media,
younger generations tend to prefer monogamy.
Divorce
Divorces are relatively uncommon. Few separated couples get
legal divorces until one of them wishes to remarry. Because
marriage is highly valued in Congolese society, most people
eventually remarry, whether the previous marriage ended in
death or divorce. Divorced women and widows are typically
held in high esteem. Divorced men are often seen as
irresponsible and may find it harder to remarry than divorced
women do.
Life Cycle
Birth
Pregnant women generally leave the house as little as possible
because they fear curses coming upon them through
witchcraft. Many traditional rites associated with pregnancy,
childbirth, the birth of the first boy, and the naming of a child
have all but disappeared. Typically, after a woman gives
birth, a festive party is held at the parents' home. Many tribes
have special celebrations for the birth of twins. These
celebrations usually include dancing, drumming, applying
manioc powder to the hair, and drinking.
Milestones
Rituals surrounding life's milestones are determined by the
traditions of each clan. Most young men undergo an initiation
ritual before becoming adults. The event serves as one of the
most important events in a man's life. The form of the ritual
varies by ethnic group, but the purpose is always instruction.
They may be taught about hunting, fishing, agriculture, or the
clan's myths and history. Among the Mongo people, the
young men are taken in groups to spend a week in the forest,
where they learn from an elder about sexuality. Among the
Luba, young men are taught how to build their own houses.
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For boys, circumcision traditionally marked the end of
childhood. Today, boys are usually circumcised in a hospital
shortly after birth, without much fanfare. Boys are generally
considered adults at around ages 12 to 14. Girls are
considered adults at 14 to 16.
When a student graduates from high school or a university,
the family holds festive celebrations. Well-wishers come to
the family home to bring gifts of money to the graduate and to
eat and drink with the family. Family members throw manioc
flour over the graduate, and then other well-wishers throw the
flour over the family members. The night of their graduation,
students celebrate with drinking and ululating (making a long,
high-pitched trilling sound). It's also popular (and dangerous)
for graduates to rent cars and drive around the city.
Death
When a person dies, family members prepare the deceased for
the funeral by washing and dressing the body in new clothes
and cutting the hair and nails. People without any family may
be buried in their backyard or inside their home, which would
normally have a dirt floor. The home would remain vacant
thereafter.
Funeral rituals differ between urban and rural areas. In
cities, the deceased's remains are kept at the hospital morgue
while relatives, tribe members, friends, and neighbors gather
at the deceased's home to collect money for the burial and
funeral. When enough money has been collected, the body is
taken in a procession to the deceased's residence in a ritual
called the levée de corps (the removal or the lifting of the
body). Depending on the condition of the body and the
weather, the deceased is either kept on a platform under a
rented tent for a night or, more common, buried shortly after
removal from the morgue. If the body is kept overnight,
women from the immediate family cry and wail around it,
making no effort to hide their grief. At night, a bonfire is
made from old car tires. Older relatives sit in rented plastic
chairs while young people sing songs and dance around the
fire, pausing occasionally for prayers and religious music.
The next day, the coffin is taken to the cemetery in a
procession. Before the coffin is lowered into the grave, the
head of the family asks the gathered mourners to declare any
debts owed by or to the deceased. All debts are settled shortly
after the burial. Mourners return to the deceased's residence
for drinks and a meal. In wealthy families, mourners stay for
a three-day wake, which incorporates nightly dancing and a
feast. In Congo's eastern provinces, mourners gather again on
the fortieth day after the death for another feast, marking the
formal end of the mourning period.
In rural areas, the deceased is placed outside the home in
his or her bed for the day of the death. Female relatives wail
around the body. At night, the head of the family sends out
word that all debts with the deceased will be settled. The next
morning, the body is moved to a coffin or wrapped in bamboo
mats and taken to the cemetery for burial. In some small
villages, the cemetery may be simply a small clearing at one
end of the village. On Parents' Day, 1 August, relatives and
friends visit the gravesites of their loved ones to lay flowers.
When a Congolese Muslim dies, the deceased is buried the
same day, according to Islamic beliefs. Some cemeteries have
a section for Muslim graves, or there may be exclusive
Muslim burial grounds. After the burial, the family stays
together for an entire week. If the deceased was married, the
spouse will have to be washed from head to toe after the
funeral to wash away the botutu (curse). Some of the
deceased's possessions are shared between family members,
and others are burned. At the end of the week, the family
gathers for food and drinks. Forty days after the death, the
family gathers again to celebrate the end of the morning
period. A widow is considered to be in mourning for the 40
days after her husband's death. After that, members of her
husband's family wash her again from head to toe, and she is
then considered single and free to remarry. Among the
Mongo people, when an uncle dies, his nephew can marry the
widow. When a Luba woman dies, her husband can replace
her with a younger sister.
Diet
Staple foods include cassava, rice, potatoes, bananas, yams,
beans, corn, fish, peanuts, and various fruits and vegetables.
Common fruits include mangoes, oranges, pawpaws (papaya),
and coconuts. Sugarcane is also grown. Congolese must
purchase some perishable foods on a daily basis. Adequate
supplies of food are hard to find in some areas, and
malnutrition affects large segments of the population.
Chicken is an important dish and is often served on special
occasions, for celebrations, or for important guests.
Recreation
Congolese generally prefer group activities, such as
socializing in groups and attending sporting events, over
individual activities, like reading or watching movies. Soccer
is the most popular sport. Even urban girls are beginning to
play. Congolese spend much of their leisure time socializing.
Gatherings may include dancing, playing or watching soccer,
watching television (particularly soccer games and subtitled
Nigerian movies), listening to music, and debating politics.
Children may spend their free time making toys to play with.
Toy trucks may be constructed from matchboxes and bottle
caps, while soccer balls are made of plastic bags bound
tightly together. Young people enjoy playing board games,
especially checkers, which is often played on a homemade
board with bottle caps for playing pieces. Young people often
pool their money to rent a bus to take them on a Saturday
outing to the Congo River. In times of peace, people enjoy
Saturday-night dances around bonfires. This tradition was
suspended in much of the country during the conflict but is
returning in those areas with adequate security.
The Arts
Musical styles that originated in Congo-Kinshasa are popular
not only locally but also in many other parts of Africa and
around the world. Among the most celebrated is soukous,
which combines guitars, percussion, and horns in an upbeat,
Latin-influenced dance rhythm. Soukous is also referred to as
rumba or lingala and has generated related forms such as
kwasa kwasa and ndombolo. Congolese music has developed
an alternative Christian genre, referred to as musique
religieuse (religious music), with its stars of both genders and
a lucrative CD market. Congolese musicians who have
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achieved international success include singers Papa Wemba
and Koffi Olomide and bands Wenge Musica and Zaiko
Langa Langa. Traditional music is still important, so
instruments such as the likembe (a board with thin metal strips
plucked with the thumbs) are common. Folk art has a strong
presence throughout the country; popular forms include
baskets, wood carvings, and jewelry. Painting and sculpture
are concentrated in urban areas.
including a cooked chicken, people often go on outings with
friends or go out for drinks.
SOCIETY
Government
Head of State: Pres. Joseph Kabila
Head of Government: PM Matata Ponyo
Capital: Kinshasa
Holidays
National holidays include New Year's Day, the
Commemoration of the Martyrs of Independence (4 January,
which honors pro-independence protesters killed on this day
in 1958), National Heroes' Day (divided into two days, 16 and
17 January), Labor Day (1 May), Liberation Day (17 May),
Independence Day (30 June), Parents' Day (1 Aug.), and
Christmas (25 Dec.).
New Year's
New Year's is the biggest celebration of the year. Those who
are religious may attend church on New Year's Eve. Young
people often gather on the streets to celebrate. Those who can
afford it may have friends and relatives over for a party.
People also attend outdoor concerts and watch firework
displays. Parents buy their children new clothes to wear on
this day. Most families have a meal that includes beef, goat,
or chicken.
National Heroes' Day
National Heroes' Day actually spans two days and
commemorates the deaths of two of Congo's political heroes.
The first day honors President Laurent Kabila, who was
assassinated in 2001. The second day honors Patrice
Lumumba, the country's first democratically elected prime
minister, who was assassinated in 1961. A highly politicized
holiday, National Heroes' Day celebrations are mainly
coordinated by the government, including a parade and a
televised presidential speech.
Independence Day
Independence Day is the most important patriotic holiday.
Celebrations start with a short, televised speech by the
president, followed by parades throughout the country. After
the parades, people gather in ngandas (sidewalk bars) for
drinks before returning home for a meal with the family. In
the past, people would often spend the night drinking and
celebrating together. However, as the country's economic
situation has worsened, celebrations have been scaled back.
Other Holidays
International Women's Day (8 Mar.) is widely celebrated in
the country, and many see this day as a time to celebrate
womanhood and honor women who were killed or attacked
during the country's conflict. Women dress in traditional
pagnes, and the government organizes commemorative
parades. In recent years, this holiday has also become a time
to raise awareness about issues affecting women.
Christmas and Easter are the most important religious
holidays. People usually celebrate with friends and relatives.
On both holidays, religious people attend church services.
Easter celebrations are more religiously oriented than
Christmas celebrations, which most people take part in,
regardless of religion. After a big family meal, usually
Structure
The president is head of state and is elected by popular vote to
a five-year term. There is a two-term limit for the president.
The president appoints a prime minister as head of
government. The legislature has two houses: a 500-seat
National Assembly and a 108-seat Senate. Sixty members of
the National Assembly are elected by majority vote, and 440
members are elected through proportional representation.
Senators are elected by provincial assemblies. Members of
both houses are elected to five-year terms.
Political Landscape
Hundreds of political parties are active in Congo-Kinshasa,
and while dozens gain representation in the National
Assembly, only a handful of parties win more than a few
seats. Legislative power currently lies with the Alliance of the
Presidential Majority—the majority coalition in the National
Assembly—which supports President Kabila. The Union for
the Nation is the main opposition coalition. Congo-Kinshasa
suffers from weak institutions, which leads to an unstable
political climate. Numerous armed rebel groups are active in
many areas outside of the capital, especially in the eastern
part of the country.
Government and the People
Congo-Kinshasa is widely considered to be a failed state. The
government struggles to provide even basic services to the
people, and income distribution is extremely unequal. The
government is largely unable to stop the country's many
armed rebel groups from harming and killing civilians,
though government forces themselves are often reported to do
the same things. The judicial system is widely considered
ineffective, corrupt, and disrespectful of human rights.
Constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech, assembly,
and the press are routinely violated, especially during election
seasons. Recent elections have been tarnished with
accusations of violent voter intimidation and electoral fraud.
Despite compulsory voting, voter turnout has been relatively
low, generally less than two-thirds, since the 2006 elections.
The voting age is 18.
Economy
GDP (PPP) in billions: $27.53
GDP (PPP) per capita: $400
Political chaos and neglect have left the economy in ruin, and
most of the population lives in dire poverty. Although very
little of the nation's total area is under cultivation, much of the
labor force is involved in agriculture. Subsistence farmers
produce staples such as cassava and corn. Other agricultural
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products include coffee (the nation's most important cash
crop), sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, bananas, and timber. In
Kinshasa, most residents live by trading or working in the
informal street economy. The national currency is the
Congolese franc (CDF), although the U.S. dollar is used for
most major transactions.
Vast mineral deposits and other natural resources make
Congo-Kinshasa potentially one of the richest nations in
Africa, but this potential remains largely untapped and even
lost. The nation is one of the world's largest producers of
diamonds, a resource that rebel groups and foreign armies
used to fund their campaigns during the civil war.
Congo-Kinshasa could be a principal cobalt and copper
supplier, but many of these mines are not functioning. Much
of the mineral industry is controlled by groups who use the
wealth from these “conflict minerals” to fund violence within
the region. Other abundant natural resources include oil, gold,
silver, zinc, tin, uranium, bauxite, iron ore, coal, timber, and
coltan (a mineral used in manufacturing electronics). Even if
goods are produced, they are often smuggled out of the
country (an estimated 98 percent of the nation's gold was
smuggled out of Congo-Kinshasa in 2013) or are difficult to
transport because of poor infrastructure. A continual lack of
peace in the country prevents the government from using the
country's mineral wealth to build roads, refurbish and expand
the railway, and support other development projects. Inland waterways give Congo-Kinshasa great potential for
hydroelectric energy. It has one of the largest dams in Africa,
the Inga Dam, near the mouth of the Congo River. Power is
transmitted more than 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) from
the Inga to the southern copper-mining region—one of the
world's longest direct-current hydroelectric transmission
lines.
Mean Years of Schooling: 3.5
Structure and Access
Congolese greatly value education, seeing it as the only way
to improve their circumstances. Like the economy, the
education system has faltered, with little government
investment. Facilities and staff are lacking, and enrollment
levels are very low. Almost half of school-age children are
out of school. Child labor is a serious problem, with more
than 25 percent of children ages 5 to 14 working for a living.
Schools may be public or private. Some private schools
are associated with a specific religion, usually the Catholic
Church. The vast majority of students attend public schools.
Private schools are prohibitively expensive for all but the
wealthy. Few viable institutions exist in interior rural areas.
Primary education begins at age six and lasts six years.
While primary school is technically mandatory, high school
fees prohibit many children from attending. Families who
cannot afford to send all of their children to school may send
their children on a rotating basis, trade goods and services for
school fees, or send only their sons (as sons are considered
more important for the family because they are expected to
take care of their parents). While girls still lag behind boys in
enrollment rates, this is changing as more parents send their
girls to school. At age 12, students take national exams in
order to proceed on to secondary school.
School Life
Students wear uniforms to school. The four Bantu languages
are used in primary education. Students begin learning French
at this time, and by secondary school, French is the language
of instruction. The teaching style is generally authoritarian
and formal, relying heavily on memorization. At age 14,
students choose an area of emphasis, such as literature,
sciences, teaching, or math.
In order to graduate from high school, students must pass a
series of state examinations. Their scores on these exams
determine which university they can attend. Students
anxiously await their scores, which are distributed in July.
Schools post the results on bulletin boards, and in recent
years, students have been able to receive their scores via text
message.
Higher Education
Many university graduates are unable to find work within the
country. A severe “brain drain” of the skilled and educated is
undermining the country's ability to provide adequate
teaching. However, the country's three public universities (in
Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, and Kisangani) still operate alongside
several private institutions.
Transportation and Communications
Internet Users (per 100 people): 1
Cellular Phone Subscriptions (per 100 people): 23
Paved Roads: 2%
The Congo River is the nation's major route for both
commercial and passenger transportation. Congo-Kinshasa's
few paved roads are in disrepair and are difficult to travel.
Many dirt roads are impassable in the rainy season. Public
transportation in cities is all but nonexistent. Private trucks
provide transportation, along with taxis in larger cities, but
fuel is expensive and scarce. Hence, most people walk
distances up to about 6 miles (10 kilometers).
Only wealthy Congolese have private phones, and there
are no public phones. Telephone service shops offer access
for a fee per minute. Mobile phones are common throughout
the country. Radio messages are broadcast to areas where
conventional telephone service does not exist. Shops offering
internet access are becoming popular in Kinshasa. The press
is technically free but faces some restrictions. As many as 15
newspapers are regularly published in Kinshasa. A number of
television and radio stations also operate.
Health
Congo-Kinshasa's health care infrastructure was badly
damaged in the conflict and remains very poor. The nation
has few physicians. Medical help is available in Kinshasa, but
adequate health care is a serious problem in rural areas.
Medical supplies are lacking throughout the country.
International relief organizations or traditional healers are
often the only sources of care. Malaria, yellow fever, AIDS,
and cholera are widespread. Preventive medicine and
mosquito nets are available but too expensive for the average
Education
Adult Literacy: 66.8%
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person. Disease epidemics are common. Outbreaks of the
deadly Ebola virus have occurred in rural areas where people
come into contact with infected animals. Other diseases
afflicting people include measles, hepatitis, tuberculosis, and
sleeping sickness. Malnutrition is a serious problem,
especially for young children.
AT A GLANCE
Contact Information
Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1726 M
Street NW, Suite 601, Washington, DC 20036; phone (202)
234-7690.
Country and Development Data
Capital
Population
Area (sq. mi.)
Area (sq. km.)
Human Development Index
Gender Inequality Index
GDP (PPP) per capita
Adult Literacy
Infant Mortality
Life Expectancy
Currency
CultureGrams
Kinshasa
75,507,308 (rank=19)
905,355 (rank=12)
2,344,858
186 of 187 countries
144 of 148 countries
$400
77% (male); 57% (female)
74.87 per 1,000 births
47 (male); 50 (female)
Congolese franc
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