An Introduction to the DRC
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo or DRC) is located in sub-Saharan Africa near the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean). It is often referred to as Congo-Kinshasa, after its capital, or the "Big Congo". The nation shares its borders with Angola, Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania, and Zambia. The proximity to many other nations' borders influences politics, trade, and language interactions in the DRC. Additionally, the DRC is the second most vast country in Africa and one of the most populous with a population of about 78 million people.
Politics
The DRC is a republic with a separation of powers between national and provincial governments, as well as different branches of government, as of its 2006 constitution. Joseph Kabila has been the President since 2001, following the assassination of Laurent-Désiré Kabila. The newly inducted Prime Minister is Bruno Tshibala as of May 2017. Between different political parties there is growing polarization and opposition is frequently quelled through violence or imprisonment.
The DRC is a republic with a separation of powers between national and provincial governments, as well as different branches of government, as of its 2006 constitution. Joseph Kabila has been the President since 2001, following the assassination of Laurent-Désiré Kabila. The newly inducted Prime Minister is Bruno Tshibala as of May 2017. Between different political parties there is growing polarization and opposition is frequently quelled through violence or imprisonment.
Author of Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad (1899) illustrates the Congo River's immensity, writing: But there was in it one river especially, a mighty big river that you could see on the map, resembling an immense snake uncoiled, with its head in the sea, its body at rest curving afar over a vast country, and its tail lost in the depths of the land" (p. 8). |
Geography
The DRC is an expansive territory with many natural resources and access to mining sites. It was named after the 2,920 mile long Congo River that stretches throughout the country and empties into the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The DRC landscape is a patchwork of different environments that allow for a great diversity of native species. The Congo Basin area gives way to the Congo Rainforest with heavy rainfall. Grasslands extend above the Congo River in the north and savanna plains in the south. The Rwenzori Mountains to the east also bring diversity in climate with frequent snowfall. Within this mountain range is an active volcano, Mount Nyiragongo. |
Culture
Languages
The DRC has two official languages: French and Lingala. However, Lingala is the official lingua franca for trade. Other major languages include Kingwana (Swahili), Kikongo, and Tshiluba.
Because of the diversity of ethnic groups and commonality of interactions between speakers of different languages, most people living in DR Congo are bi- or multilingual (Horner, 2017. p. 112).
Languages
The DRC has two official languages: French and Lingala. However, Lingala is the official lingua franca for trade. Other major languages include Kingwana (Swahili), Kikongo, and Tshiluba.
Because of the diversity of ethnic groups and commonality of interactions between speakers of different languages, most people living in DR Congo are bi- or multilingual (Horner, 2017. p. 112).
Religion
There are many religions in the DRC, many a result of colonial powers and missionaries bringing Christian influences to indigenous populations. Although the majority of the population is Catholic or Protestant, some still practice native religions like Kimbanguism and other Bantu religions. The distribution of religions (right) are as reported by CIA World Factbook (2014). |
More on Culture
The following images and captions are part of Brandon Stanton's Humans of New York project from DR Congo (Stanton, 2014). His photographs and interactions with various Congolese people give life to a rich and colorful culture.
Balster-Gee, Winter 2018.