ReligionChristianity:
Over half of the population in the Congo is Roman Catholic. However, off branches of christianity, such as the local Kimbanguist Church, are growing. This church maintains over 6 million followers, and was created during the 1920’s by a Catholic preacher named Simon Kimbangu. This faith promotes racial equality, yet the founder was starved to death in a Belgian prison. Animism:
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Music and CultureDance and music in the Congo are called ‘musique Zaïroise’ (derived from the old name of the country, Zaire). The popular style is "soukous," derived from the jazz and rumba bands of the 1940's and 1950's. Performance of music is local, as instruments are handmade and band and street performers are popular. In Goma, there is an annual Skiff arts festival that demonstrates Congolese music, poetry and films. The award winning film ‘Benda Bilili’ details the rise of a Kinshasa street bank, the “Staff Band Bilili.” The band members are disabled. The name of the band means ‘beyond appearances.
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