The Congolese rumba: symbol of unity, joy and cultural expression

During a ministerial visit (9–10 April 2024) to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, our embassy in Kinshasa organised a Congolese rumba evening. Did you know that this spirited musical style has been recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and that the Congolese diaspora in Belgium played an important role in spreading it across Europe?

On 9 and 10 April 2024, the Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs travelled to DR Congo to discuss, among other things, the dire security and humanitarian situation in eastern Congo as a result of the ongoing conflict there. Among others, she met her counterpart, Christophe Lutundula, and the outgoing Prime Minister, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, in addition to newly appointed Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, the first woman to hold the post.

UNESCO World Heritage

A ministerial visit is guaranteed to mean hectic times for our embassy there. After all, it is in charge of organising the meetings, transport, accommodation and so on. In addition, a cultural event is almost always on the itinerary, since a ministerial visit provides a great opportunity to honour the culture of the country visited. This time our embassy did not look to visual arts, but rather music, and especially the rumba.

This is because the rumba is not just another dance from DR Congo and Congo Brazzaville; UNESCO has also recognised this spirited musical style as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. What is more, the Congolese diaspora in Belgium played a significant role in its spread in Europe.

The origins of the Congolese rumba date back to the 1950s and 1960s in Leopold City, then the capital of Belgian Congo. From the Cuban rhythms of cha-cha-cha, rumba and charanga, a very distinctive Congolese style developed that became extremely popular.

Indépendance Cha Cha

During the 1950s and 1960s, numerous orchestras formed, such as OK Jazz led by Franco Luambo. Africa Jazz, founded by Joseph Kabasele, was also renowned. Kabasele attended the Roundtable on the Emancipation of the Belgian Congo in Brussels in 1960. He then composed the well-known tune 'Indépendance Cha Cha'.

Numerous Congolese musicians became active in Brussels from the 1960s onwards, leading to the development of a rich cultural exchange between the two countries over the years. This helped to spread and garner appreciation for the Congolese rumba beyond its African borders.

Today, the rumba is an emblematic dance in the Congo: a symbol of unity, joy and cultural expression and this tradition is being passed on to younger generations, especially in cities. In fact, the rumba plays an important economic role as the various orchestras encourage cultural entrepreneurship.

Dance initiation

So the choice of a rumba night as a cultural activity turned out to be a hit. The cosy restaurant Inzia in Kinshasa (which, incidentally, has a sister restaurant of the same name in Matonge, Brussels) hosted a gathering of around 100 Belgians living in Kinshasa, mostly businesspeople, in addition to scientists, academics and artists. They were joined by some 20 Congolese 'friends of Belgium' representing civil society, the cultural sector, journalism and so on. And then, of course, the Minister's delegation with a Belgian press delegation.

During this evocative evening, the audience heard about the cultural significance of Congolese rumba and a rumba orchestra brought the musical genre to life. Students from the Institut National des Arts (INA) – Congo's leading performing arts institution – demonstrated the dance and an initiation into Congolese rumba was provided for the enthusiasts.

Honouring pioneers

In addition, our embassy took the opportunity to honour two pioneers: Brain Tshibanda received a medal of honour for his nearly 40-year career in the service of Belgian-Congolese relations, including as director of Wallonie-Bruxelles International in Kinshasa. He was also the driving force behind UNESCO's recognition of rumba as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The renowned Prof. Yoka Lye Mudaba was also honoured. He has been active at UNESCO, among other organisations, and is currently director general of INA and a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kinshasa. In this capacity, he plays a distinguished role in the contemporary spread of Congolese rumba.

The rumba evening was a clear illustration of the rich cultural exchanges between Congolese and Belgians and strengthened the partnership between the two countries on all levels.