The Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC) is the second largest country in Africa, situated astride the Equator in west-central Africa. It is bounded to the north-west by Cameroon, to the north by the Central African Republic, to the east and south by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by the Angolan exclave of Cabinda, and to the west by Gabon.
Congo is rich in natural resources, it boasts vast deposits of industrial diamonds, cobalt and copper, one of the largest forest reserves in Africa and about half of the hydroelectric potential of the continent.
DRC is made up of about 105.59 million persons. Congo is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world, with over 200 languages spoken in the country. While French is the official language and widely used in education and government, there are four national languages Kikongo (Kituba), Lingala, Swahili and Tshiluba.
TRENDING FASHION IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
ACCESSORIES IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
There are high quality Congo accessories designed and sold by independent artists around the world.
TRIBES AND FASHION IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Mongo
They are Bantu ethnic group who live in the equatorial forest of Central Africa. They are the second largest ethnic group in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They speak Nkundo or Mongo. In the past, the men and women clothing made from raffia palm, but in recent time, due to western culture influence, casual dress made from cotton are worn.
Luba
The Luba people or Baluba are an ethno-linguistic group indigenous to the south-central region of the DRC. The majority of them are residing mainly in its Katanga, Kasai and Maniema area.
TOURIST AND HISTORICAL PLACES IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Odzala National Park – this is one of the nominated UNESCO world heritage site and is also an important bird area as labelled by birdlife.
Loufoulakari Falls and Bela Falls – these waterfalls can be visited by many during their stay in Congo. It is a popular site located in the south west of Brazzaville.
Lefini Faunal Reserve – this reserve is mainly for the protection and conservation of the endangered species of western gorilla is situated near Brazzaville.
Diosso Gorge – popularly called ‘Grand Canyon of Congo’. It is located about a few miles away from Pointe Noire.
Maiko – DRC’s most inaccessible national park, where three country’s endemic species are found.
Garamba National Park – the park is filled with unending grasslands and savannahs.
Nyiragongo – unbelievable 3000+ metre volcano located at the junction where the African Tectonic plate is breaking.
Lake Kivu – the sixth largest lake in Africa. It offers lovely scenic drives between towns and its shores.
Falls of Zongo – it is representing Mother earth of her best, it is located in Bas Congo.
Kahuzi Biega National Park – it is located in the South Kivu Provinces and stretches from the Congo River Basin to Bukavu.
Okapi Wildlife Reserve – UNESCO world heritage reserve unique for the large variety of primates.
Kinshasa – the capital city of DRC, buzzing with energy and really huge with over 10 million residents.
Virunga National Park – UNESCO world heritage site located along the borders of Rwanda and Uganda.
Salonga National Park – DRC and Africa’s largest tropical rainforest
Ubangi Rivers – it provides marvelous site-seeing within the Republic of Congo.
MUSIC IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Outside Africa, the most music from Democratic Republic of Congo is called Soukous, which most accurately preferred instead to a dance popular in the late 1960s. Congolese music is one of the most influential music of the African continent.
Some musician in Democratic Republic of Congo include:
Koffi Olomide
Papa wemba
Art work in the Democratic Republic of Congo
MEALS IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Ngulu Yako Tumba – grilled pork or goat meat. It is a popular street food in the country.
Kwanga – fermented bread prepared from cassava and wrapped in banana leaves.
Jollof rice – a delicious rice meal popular across Africa.
Chikwangue – a popular starchy food from cooking a roll of cassava dough.
Saka-Saka – a Congolese dish made from cassava leaves, which are cooked as greens.
Fumbwa – a spinach stew made from wild spinach.
Ngulu Yako Tumba
Kwanga
Jollof rice
Chikwangue
Saka-Saka
Fumbwa
Dabo Kolo – festive food in Congo. Baked bread in small cubes.
Fufu – a popular in African region, especially in the central and western provinces.
Ntaba Ya Liboke – a delicious meal in DRC prepared from proteins.
Makayabu – dried and salted cod. It is preserved by drying and salting.
Puff-puff – traditional snack made of fried dough, eaten across african countries.
Moambe – a meal made from pericarp of palm nuts, made in form of sauces and stews.
Dabo Kolo
Fufu
Ntaba Ya Liboke
Makayabu
Puff-puff
Moambe
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND HABITAT PROTECTION IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
The Congo basin makes up one of the most important wilderness area left on Earth. At 500 million acres, it is larger than the state of Alaska and stands as the world’s largest tropical forest. A mosaic of rivers, forests, savannas, swamps and flooded forests. Animals such as gorillas, elephants and buffalos are found in the region. Plant life is lush and varies between climate zones. The heart of the Congo basin is blanketed by an intricate forest system commonly known as the equatorial rainforest. Grasslands and woodlands are characteristics of tropical climate zone, while stands of mangrove dominate the coastal swamps and the mouth of the Congo. The eastern plateaus are covered by grasslands and mountain forest, bamboo thickets and Afro-Alpine vegetation occur on the highest mountains.
EFFECT OF CLIMATE IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
The Democratic Republic of Congo have been subject to increasing temperature and inconsistent rain. Food security will be affected due to crop losses, increased livestock mortality, negative impacts on fisheries, and damage to infrastructure. Like most of the Earth, temperatures are expected to rise in all areas of the Congo Basin. Under high emissions scenarios, average temperatures in the region are expected to increase by 2.5oC by the year 2050 while temperature increases are expected to be between 3-5oC by 2100.
GENDER EQUALITY IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
The DRC constitution establish a legal basis for equality policies, women currently occupy only 7.2% of positions at the highest level of decision making at a national level in the parliament and government. 27% of women in DRC are victims of harmful traditional practices. Although there are still women who are doing great in the society, who participate in economy decision of the country.
Some prominent Congolese women include:
Rebecca Walo Omana – Congolese first female mathematics professor and vice president of African Women in Mathematics Association.
Acacia Bandubola Mbongo – Congolese businesswoman and politician, who serves as the Minister of National Economy in the cabinet of DRC since 2019.
Fabiola Faida Mwangilwa – a politician and women’s right activist, who served as Minister of Family and Women’s Affair in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Marie-Louise Mwange – Congolese politician and writer, who served as Minister of Gender, Child and Family.
Rebecca Walo Omana
Acacia Bandubola Mbongo
Fabiola Faida Mwangilwa
Marie-Louise Mwange
Chantal safu – former Minister for Gender, Children and Family in Congo.
Gertrude Kitembo – Congolese politician and businesswoman who served as Minister of Posts and Communications.
Marie-Ange Mushobekwa – Congolese politician who served as Minister for Human rights.
Jeanine Mabunda – Congolese lawyer and politician, who became the first women elected to the DRC’s National Assembly.
Chantal safu
Gertrude Kitembo
Marie-Ange Mushobekwa
Jeanine Mabunda
