Africa 24 Media Photography

Haunted by a series of megalomaniac leaders Congo’s history has hardly been peaceful.  Political differences further catapulted by ethnic differences have pushed the country past the brinks of civil war. Death tolls of 3.8 million through a civil war, that many who engaged in did not understand, have left the nation trembling. Characterized by conflict between rebel groups and the government, rebels between other rebel groups, the road to stability is nothing short but turbulent.

The people have however managed to maintain a strong African cultural perspective and this is portrayed in their day to day activities. Modern Congo is punctuated by  the strife for growth and development in the face of a trying past. However as is evident everywhere in the world life has to go on. People work to earn a living...and work hard they do. Class systems have tended to assign the social activities to its members. Upper class members tend to link up in social meet-up-groups whereby they interact with people of similar standing and common interests. This often evolves into forums through which issues are discussed concerning the countries state of affairs. The lower classes entertain themselves however they can. They are the ones more deeply rooted in their cultural traditions. Superstition plays a big role in their existence. One of the places through which this is displayed is in Mbandaka. This was the location through which the worlds first Habitat for Humanity was established. Wrestling matches are held there in a manner that is different from what the world has witnessed before. The Mongo(the ethnic community found here) here get together and rally behind a catcher of their preferred choice. A catcher here refers to a fighter. There is much celebration around this person; people come forth with drums singing songs of praise rallying the fighter to the ring. Things take an interesting turn when the fight begins. The opponents do not actually hurt each other. They use fetish statues and sticks as their weapons in a fight that seems to be so well choreographed. This is where their superstition comes in to play. It is said that this statues allow people to see into the spirit world. The sticks on the other hand were used to strengthen the power of the catcher. These fighters could somehow mediate between the living world and the spirit world to implore for the protection of their people. The sticks were often attached to the statues so as to awaken the spirits. Many bear witness to the awakening of these spirits saying that when they did the catchers would go into a trance and take a journey to the land beyond. They would come back with visions and messages from the ancestors on the way forward for the community.

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