Country Report DRC

Kiambote, Mbote, Jambo, Dituku Dilenga, Bonjour...

Democratic Republic of The Congo

Adana Kabeya & Benita Mulimilwa

December 6, 2023

LAKE KIVU

INDEX

History|Facts

Congolese’s Education System

Congolese’s Fauna & Flora

Congolese’s Customs| Traditions

Congolese’s Traditional Attire

Bukavu

Congolese’s Art 1 to 3

Congolese’s Food

Migration| Current events in the DRC

Congolese’s Holidays|Festivales

Things You Should Known| Idiom

• Democratic Republic of The Congo. Formaly Zaire form 1971 to 1997
• Capital: Kinshasa. Formaly: Léopoldville
• independence: 06/30/1960 from : Belgium
• Area: 905,567 sq mi (2,345,409 sq km).
• Population: ~ 110,000,000. More than 200 African ethnic groups. 4 largest groups - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic)
• Largest Cities: Kinshasa, Mbuji-Mayi, Lubumbashi, Kananga, Kisangani, Goma, Bukavu, Tshikapa, Kolwezi, Masina.
• Official language: French.
• National languages: Lingala, Swahili, Kikongo, Tshiluba
• Currency: Congolese franc (CDF). 1.00 CDF =0.0003757017 . In 2020, GPD was around 536.45 U.S. dollars

• Climate: The DRC has a largely equatorial climate. 2 season : Dry and Rainning (it is hot and humid in the north and west areas, and central and eastern areas are generally cooler and drier)

• Roman Catholic 29.9%, Protestant 26.7%, other Christian 36.5%, Kimbanguist 2.8%, Muslim 1.3%, )

National Athem

Congolese’s Education System

Education Shart

The educational system is based on the Belgian educational system.

Primary Education: Often preceded by Enseignement Maternel (Maternal Education) consists of 6 years and leads to the Certificat d’Études Primaires [Certificate of Primary Education] CEP only for those who perform well in the End of Cycle Examination. The CEP gives access to secondary education.

Secondary Education: 2 Types: General, Technical and Teacher Training and Vocational. General, technical and teacher training secondary education: Last 6 years. Upon successful completion of State Examination, People receive State Diploma of the Long Cycle of Secondary Studies or Certificate of Teacher for teacher training.The State Diploma of the Long Cycle of Secondary Studies gives access to higher education. Secondary Vocational Education: Lasts 5 years. Does not give or grant access to higher education. Study takes place at Écoles d’Arts et Métiers.

Higher Education: Falls under the authority of the Ministry of Higher Education. First Cycle: 3 years leading to the title of Gradué (Graduate). Second Cycle: 2 years for the Licence, professional title from secondary school for a total of 5 years, 3 years for the title of Doctor of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine for a total of 6 years. Higher Education Institutions: Université, Centre Universitaire, Institut Facultaire, Institut Supérieur Pédagogique, Institut Supérieur Technique

In 2019, the Democratic Republic of Congo introduced free primary education.

Congolese’s Fauna & Flora

DRC has the highest number of species for almost all groups of organisms with the exception of plants

It possesses over 50% of Africa’s tropical forests.

Congo Peafowl

Great Blue Turaco

Grauer’s gorillas

Forest Elephants

Extremely rich in natural resources, DRC contains large reserves of coltan,and it is the world’s largest producer of industrial diamonds.

Okapi

DRC has more than 600 tree species and 10,000 animal species.

Congolese’s Customs| Traditions

La DOT: Bride Price , and other Valuable

Moziki or Likelemba : a group of people who usually agree on a specific amount of money that every member can contribute during the month. The money is then saved and given to any group member that has an upcoming event such as a birthday, wedding, funeral, or the birth of a baby.

Etiquette: Respect for elders is highly valued, and it's essential to use appropriate titles when addressing them.

Greetings: Congolese people value respectful greetings.

For example: Head Bump or Head Shake. Only man do it, most of the time.

Throwing a child’s baby teeth on the roof

Congolese’s Traditional Attire

Kuba textile | Rafia

The Mbuya mask: is positioned on the head in order to look up at the sky and predict the rain.

Wax

KITENGA MASK made with hundreds of kulu kulu feathers

Muthatho masks, called “Angry Masks,” dance frenetically to amuse the crowd,

Congolese’s Arts 1

Lega Idimu Mask

Mashambooy of Kuba Bushoong

Mask (Bwami, Lukungu)

Ngongo helmet headdress called mukyeem

Bembe Figure

Lema Kusa. 1991. Untitled. Private Collection

Roger Botembe

Marcel Gotene

Kongo Statue

Congolese’s Music 2

Koffi Olomide

Congolese’s Dances 3

Traditional Dances

A Compilation

N'Dombolo Loketo

Moko

Lokota: 1th move only

Mutuashi

A compilation

A Compilation

Congolese’s Food

Liboke: Meat or fish cooked with banana leaves

Mikate

Chicken Mayo, Plantain

Lituma

Makayabu: Salted fish

Fumbua, chikwangue , beef stew

Fufu

Migration| Current events in the DRC

• As of 2020, there were 952,871 foreigners (1.02% of the country’s population) living in the DRC.

• In 2019 the total percentage of Congolese working-age migrants was 71.4%, with 1.7 million people potentially employed or self-employed.

• By the end of 2021, 888,136 people were displaced because of these natural events.(Natural disasters related to floods, storms, and volcanic activity)
• by 2022, 909,850 people moved out from the DRC seeking asylum in neighbouring countries.

Conflict has been reported as the primary reason for displacement

Currently: about 6.9 million of people are displaced ( internally)

An Ongoing War

Presidential Elections: December 20, 2023

Election : in deep

Congolese’s Holidays|Festivales

Martyr’s Day, held every January 4th

Amani festival, held in Goma, east DRC, Amani means peace in Swahili and the music and arts festival is intended to promote peace in the troubled region

Independence Day, Jun 30th

National Heroes’ Day January 17

Pende | Ngungu masks festival

Festival Kinact “Kinshasa in action": In addition to street performances, the festival organises workshops to introduce children to different art forms, such as theatre, sculpture, painting and poetry

Parents’ Day: in the Congo, it is considered a public holiday August 1

Things You Should Known| Idiom

1. Do not wear clothes with a military pattern
2. Don't forget your sunscreen!
3. You can negotiate the price of manchandises
4. There is huge traffic in Kinshasa
5. Avoid showing off your valuable possessions
6. Men hold the majority of positions of power in the country

Idiom: KoKende Liboso Eza ko Koma Te ! Esthetique Eboma Velo

THANK YOU !

SOURCE: https://montgomerycollege0-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/bmulimil_montgomerycollege_edu/ET0EVPn8WXNDkPiFYYQncWoB3ODgGKW-Mz3lai2J-ly6wg?e=kSlzRy