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Demain le depart pour Kinshasa.

[Photo copyright: congogirl]

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Les Sapeurs, the stylish men of Congo-Brazzaville.

Some say they’re frivolous, materialistic men; others call them avant-garde fashion artists.

Can we agree that they look good? #ThisisAfrica.

For more

via innovateafrica

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Bongeziwe Mabandla Feat Zulu Boy - Phupha Lam ( this is why I love music) 

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Artwork by Congolese artist Moke.

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Letter Two to C. In response to her letter.

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“Sape” (2011) by Congolese artist Chéri Chérin.

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Holo Divination Basket

19th–20th century

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Rattan, mud, wood, beads, metals, feathers

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TODAY’S CLASSIC: Pamelo Mounk’a | L’Argent Appalle L’Argent 

80’s hit from legendary Congolese musician Pamelo Mounk’a, that talks about the seemingly never-ending cycle of the rich becoming richer, whilst the poor get poorer.

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Fally Ipupa | Kidiamfuka

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"We don't need other people to tell our story the wrong way." - Maureen Agena, Ugandan blogger. Unfortunately I don't find a link to their video on YouTube. Share if you have it.

Invisible Children’s Kony2012 video brought infamy to Central Africa’s rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and its leader, Joseph Kony. But many have criticised the campaign for ignoring voices from people on the ground. A group of Ugandan bloggers and filmmakers, working under the collective “Uganda Speaks”, have now released their own film online looking at the LRA and its impact from their perspective - a move that aims to bring local voices to the debate. Al Jazeera’s Malcolm Webb reports from northern Uganda.

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The “Orchestre Symphonique Kimbanguiste” has been in existence for fifteen years. Initially a few dozen music-loving amateurs shared the few instruments they had at their disposal. Rehearsals were organised in shifts so that everyone could have a turn. Today there are over two hundred musicians on the platform when the “OSK” gives a concert.

Most of them are still self-taught amateurs. Even for those fortunate enough to have trained for a profession and found a halfway regular job, everyday life in the metropolis of Kinshasa with its eight million citizens is a constant struggle for survival. For many the working day begins at six in the morning, frequently a great deal earlier for the ones who cannot afford to share a taxi and have to walk miles to get to their workplaces. Despite this they attend the rehearsals that go on until well into the night, practically every day. A staggering example of discipline and enthusiasm.

In the meantime some of the orchestra’s repair artists have a whole collection of self-devised and self-built tools that they need to mend instruments. Their methods are as unorthodox as they are effective. Other members of the orchestra make their concert attire themselves, procure the sheet music required and make sure that the children are fed and looked after during the long evening rehearsals.

Armand Diangienda is the founder and conductor of the OSK. He is the grandson of Simon Kimbangu, a martyr greatly revered in the Congo for opposing the Belgian colonists and establishing his own church: the Kimbanguists. Armand plays the cello and is also a composer: “Music often helps me to think straight and plan my life,” he says. “And even though the rehearsals are often uphill work with little immediately appreciable progress, making music together is a compensation for lots of problems.”

via dynamicafrica

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Pen pals

Remember when people used to post letters in the mail? I am starting a letter-writing project with my friend C. Once she figures out which Tumblr she's posting to, I'll let you know.

Meanwhile, if you want to play too, write me a letter and post it on your Tumblr. I will write back and link to your post. Tag it with #penpals and #congogirl so I can check in and find you, since I haven't figured out how to direct message anyone... 

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AFRICA IN YOUR EARBUDS #16: PETITE NOIR via @OkayAfrica 

Petite Noir is a South African/Congolese drone producer who also puts in time as the lead singer of Cape Town’s Popskarr and member of The Capital of Cool collective. He self-dubbed his musical style noir wave — “a take on post-punk/new wave with a hint of an African aesthetic.”

For our latest Africa In Your Earbuds, Petite Noir serves up a vibrant 56-minute South African house-tinged mix featuring Spoek Mathambo‘s remix of Seun Kuti, DJ Sbu and Zahara‘s “Lengoma”, Alec Lomami and more. Explaining his selections, he states:

The reason my mix is predominantly South African is because it comes from a place that basically raised me. Coming to South Africa from Beligium, always having North African music playing and always listening to what my parents listened to, it somehow had some sort of relevance and made sense to me. I’m all for vernacular music, even though I might not understand what they are saying most of the time. I always use SA music as one of my influences.

Big up to Underdog for the cover artwork!

TRACKLIST 1. Sepulcure – The One (UK) 2. Dj Kent ft. Maleh – Falling (SA) 3.Big Nuz – Umlilo (SA) 4. Dj Clock Feat. Shisaboi – Ngomso (SA) 5. Fali feat. Olivia – Chaise Electric (DRC) 6. Alec Lomami – POP (DRC/USA) 7. DJ Sbu feat. Zahara – Lengoma (Petite Noir Chopped and screwed edit) (SA) 8. Flava – Sawa Le (NGA) 9. Fela Kuti – Water No Get No Enemy (NGA) 10. Amadou & Mariam – Dougou Badia Feat. Santigold (MLI/USA) 11. Petite Noir – ’till we ghosts/The Dance (DRC/ANG/SA) 12. Seun Kuti – The Good Leaf (Spoek Mathambo Remix) (NGA/SA)

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Letter One to C by me. 

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Maurice Mbikayi | Untitled, 2010, Computer keyboard and collage on cardboard

“Maurice Mbikayi was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1974. He attended the Academies des Beaux Arts and graduated with a diploma in Graphic Design and visual communication in 2000, then decided to expand his horizons and moved to South Africa in mid-2004. In 2010 he participated in the Hollard Exchange Program facilitated by the Spier Arts Academy in Cape Town.”

via ladyfresh: derica

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The Bus

Surprisingly, the documentary film The Bus featured a short sequence from Kinshasa. Lots of Magic Buses there for sure, and later editions of the sturdy VW van (and others), used for transport and recently painted blue and yellow. I imagine the latter is to better identify whom to tax.

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My favorite is truly Tembo, but Castel isn't bad. I love this advert painted onto the washroom at Maluku. "Let yourself be seduced..." By beer. At the washroom.