EXPLORE AFRICA THROUGH ITS DIVERSITY OF ARTS AND CULTURES.

Discover the richness of African countries through their artists, artisans and more with Kelen.

THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with its area of 2,345,410 km2, is the second largest country on the African continent after Algeria. It is located in Central Africa. It shares its borders with nine countries, namely: in the North the Central African Republic and South Sudan; to the east Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania; to the south Zambia and Angola and to the west the Republic of Congo.

At the end of 2018, the population of the DRC was estimated at 84 million inhabitants (World Bank estimate for 2018). The capital Kinshasa is a megalopolis of twelve million inhabitants.

Its rich ecosystem presents a variety of landscapes of exceptional beauty (savannas, deep forests, mountains, mangroves, rivers and rivers), itself shaped by the climatic diversity at work in the Congo. As well as a unique fauna with many species endemic to the country, including several emblematic specimens including the okapi, the bonobo, the mountain gorilla, the lowland gorilla, the Congolese peacock and, until recently, the white rhinoceros…

This immense country has enormous natural assets. The ground and the subsoil are full of important and varied mineral resources: copper, coltan, cobalt, silver, uranium, lead, zinc, cadmium, diamond, gold, tin, tungsten, oil, manganese... And precious metals. .., As well as a range of agricultural resources such as: coffee, cocoa, wood (afromosia, ebony, wenge, iroko, sapelli, sipro, tiama, tola, kambala, lifaki...), rubber...

The DRC also presents diverse universes with an extraordinary cultural heritage carried by the few hundred ethnic groups that make up its population. Nearly 450 different ethnic groups live together on the territory while maintaining their own way of life which results in many specific practices such as dances, music, masks, housing, crafts and various arts thus forming a human heritage. and unique culture.

The official language is French alongside the four recognized national languages : Swahili in the eastern provinces; Lingala in Province Orientale, Equateur and Kinshasa; Kikongo in the provinces of Congo-Central and Bandundu; and the tshiluba in both Kasai and Katanga. Hundreds of dialects are also identified in the country, which are part of its intangible heritage.

The east of the country is destabilized by armed conflicts. The fighting takes place mainly in North Kivu, a land with very high economic stakes. It has great mineral resources including gold, cassiterite and oil. This region is also rich in methane gas naturally present in Lake Kivu. The agricultural wealth of this fertile land is also highly coveted.

Art and culture sources of inspiration... Discover artists from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Gael Maski - Kelen RDC 120721 Découvrez 5 facettes de l'univers symbolique et imaginaire de l'artiste.	Moseka Yogo Amabake Moseka Yogo Ambake : 5 choses à savoir sur l’artiste peintre.	Richesse artistique en RDC D’hier à aujourd’hui: une richesse artistique débordante en RDC
JP Mika Comment diffuser ou transmettre de la joie à travers l’art?	L’art à Kinshasa 4 formes d'art pour une capitale bouillonnante et vibrante.	Lucas Katangila Rencontre avec le danseur chorégraphe et activiste Lucas Katangila.