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Culture
The culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo reflects the diversity of
its hundreds of ethnic groups and their differing ways of life throughout the
country — from the mouth of the River Congo on the coast, upriver through the
rainforest and savanna in its centre, to the more densely populated mountains in
the far east. Since the late 19th century, traditional ways of life have
undergone changes brought about by colonialism, the struggle for independence,
the stagnation of the Mobutu era, and most recently, the First and Second Congo
Wars. Despite these pressures, the customs and cultures of the Congo have
retained much of their individuality. The country's 60 million inhabitants are
mainly rural. The 30 percent who live in urban areas have been the most open to
Western influences.
Another notable feature in Congo culture is its sui generis music. The DROC has
blended its ethnic musical sources with Cuban Rumba, and Meringue to give birth
to Soukous. Influential figures of Soukous and its offshoots (N'dombolo, Rumba
Rock..) are Franco Luambo, Tabu Ley, Lutumba Simaro, Papa Wemba, Koffi Olomide,
Kanda Bongo, Ray Lema, Mpongo Love, Abeti Masikini, Reddy Amisi, Pepe Kalle, and
Nyoka Longo.
Africa produces music genres which are direct derivatives of Congolese Soukous.
Some of the African bands sing in Lingala, the main language in the DROC. The
same Congolese Soukous, under the guidance of "le sapeur" Papa Wemba, has set up
the tone for a generation of young guys always dressed up in expensive
designer's clothes.
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