Intangible Cultural Heritage
Congolese rumba
Congolese rumba is a musical genre and a dance common in urban areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo Generally danced by a malefemale couple it is a multicultural form of expression originating from an ancient dance called nkumba meaning waist in Kikongo The rumba is used for celebration and mourning in private public and religious spaces It is performed by professional and amateur orchestras choirs dancers and individual musicians and women have played a predominant role in the development of religious and romantic styles The tradition of Congolese rumba is passed down to younger generations through neighbourhood clubs formal training schools and community organisations For instance rumba musicians maintain clubs and apprentice artists to carry on the practice and the manufacture of instruments The rumba also plays an important economic role as orchestras are increasingly developing cultural entrepreneurship aimed at reducing poverty The rumba is considered an essential and representative part of the identity of Congolese people and its diaspora It is perceived as a means of conveying the social and cultural values of the region and of promoting intergenerational and social cohesion and solidarity
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo -