Museum of Culture in Kinshasa

We anticipated a trip to Gabon this weekend, but because of visa problems, we weren't able to go.  They now require a marriage license in order to get a visa for a couple going to Gabon.  Our poor kids have searched our house and not found our proof of marriage.  So, we're in Kinshasa and a bit frustrated. Our time is too short for this kind of nonsense! This could mean that we won't get back to Gabon before our departure.
We decided that we might as well take advantage of a day in Kinshasa and go to the museum of Culture.  One of our couples had gone and said it was quite interesting. So, we went to see something in Kinshasa

                                                                                                                             
As it turned out that  wasn't the best day to go to the museum. It was "International museum day," something of which we were unaware. We didn't know a thing about this internationally designated day.  Go figure! Do we celebrate this in the US?

The place was packed with students. There were probably 100 students  and that about filled the small museum.  There was hardly room to walk around.
They were more interested in taking pictures of themselves in front of displays and in front of our car than they were in anything else. We, actually, seemed to be more of a novelty than the displays.  They also seemed to think that soft drinks and each other were  more deserving of attention than the artifacts. Not so different than their counter parts at home.  Typical teens!


Because of the crowds we missed the guided tour and just  "poked around" on our own. We read the plaques at each of the dozen or so displays. The whole museum was about the size of our family room at home, but it was interesting.
The Congo has quite an unique past and the artifacts were something that would only be viewed in Africa. Most were of wood and raffia and were related to the chief's power and authority and to the human male and female figures.  There was almost nothing made of metal, porcelain, pottery or glass.

Door surround for chief's home. Protective
man and woman figures flank the doorway.

Another chief's ceremonial head dress.

Six foot tall sculpture of a man and a women

                                                                                                                                                                                   There were murals painted on the outsides of the  three buildings, only one of which contained displays.  One of the favorite subject of Congolese art is women, and especially women at work. I thought the one below was very nice. It was my favorite work and it was painted on the back of the building.  

 In the parking lot there was a display of archival photos taken by early visitors to the Congo. The photos were every bit as interesting as the museum. There are some things from their early culture that we see still reflected in their modern day culture. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CHIEF OR LEADERS OF GROUPS. 

The majority of the pictures were of the chiefs in their royal attire and with their families. Chiefs are still important in the Congo and being the leader is a significant goal that we find in almost everybody. To the chiefs goes the best things and the most power. Honor and deference are given to leaders and all would like to be one.  

Familly of a Bandundu chief

                                                     

Kananga chief

                                                                                                                     This Kanangan chief reminded us very much of the Native American culture. His headdress, beads, feathers, and his turtle and eagle symbols made us think of Native American tribes at home. Even his features seem to relate to the Native American  culture. Looked like a proud Apache warrior to us.

WOOD CARVINGS ARE A MAJOR PART OF CONGO ART

BODY ART

It was most interesting to us that the major place that art work was done and individuality and creativity expressed was in body art and clothing.  It's so interesting because today, although they don't do much body art, not even tattooing, their clothing is the most important means of self-expression and pride among the Congolese people. Woman's dresses are amazing and they look just fabulous, no matter what kind of circumstances they live in.  They don't seem to see their homes as an extension of themselves as we do, but their clothing is definitely their way of expressing their individuality and making a statement. Their hair styles are extremely important.  Both men and woman love to wear jewelry, hats and scarves, and enjoy things as bright and showy as possible.  Shoes are one of the things they love the most.  They come in all kinds of bright colors and styles for both men and woman.  Many woman wear very high, very fancy,stylish heels. I'm not sure how they walk on the uneven pavement without hurting themselves, but it seems worth it to them to look chic.  How you look is all important to the Congolese.  It seems that this could have come from the past and the culture of body decoration that existed in earlier times. 

Examples of facial piercing, scarring and hair and body modifications. 

 Facial painting, tattooing,  body modification and scarring were usual in times past. They're not common now in the cities but are still done in some rural tribes.  Earth, dyed red, is still spread on the body of a young Masai man during this coming of age ceremony.  Today people all over the Congo sprinkle white powder (usually talcum powder) on themselves and their friends and family when they celebrate an accomplishment such as a marriage or graduation.  

                                                                                                 Also on the grounds was a plaque and several other items related to Henry Stanley and his exploration of the Congo. It was interesting to us to see the names on the sign. Ngaliema is the name of a chief during the time of Stanley and that's the name of one of our stakes in Kinshasa. Makoko is another name that we see used today.                                                                  There was also a very large statue of  King Leopold of Belgium who actually purchased and ruled  the Congo during the Belgian colonial period. 

King Leopold

Stanley and tribal chiefs are represented in this statue

Very large statue of Henry Stanley 

Looking at the past culture and history of a place can really help you to understand how things got to be the way they are.  It was interesting to visit this "very Congolese" museum.  We still have lots to learn about the DRC's  culture and its people. This visit added another piece to the puzzle.