CONGO – A FRANCOPHONEI

COUNTRY
By – Anaaya Yadav , Kunal singh , Ishita Tambe and Shreyan Kedari
Quel et Francophonei ?
The Francophonie refers to men and women who share a common language: French. We estimate over 321
million French speakers across five continents.
The Francophonie is also an institution, dedicated since 1970 to promoting the French language and
political, educational, economic and cultural cooperation among the 88 member countries of the
Organisation internationale of la Francophonie (OIF) [International Organisation of La Francophonie].

https://youtu.be/flFxqidBeSU?si=MwVGGC_XL3ELImVb
Le pays RD Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Kinshasa, Congo-Zaire, Congo DR, DR
Congo, DRC, or simply either Congo or the Congo, is a country in Central Africa . By land area, the DRC
is the second-largest country in Africa and the 11th-largest in the world. With a population of around 105
million, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the most populous Francophone country in the world,
and the fourth-largest in Africa. The national capital and largest city is Kinshasa, which is also the
economic center.
Congo and its connection with French
French is the official language of the DRC, and both France and the DRC are full members of
the Organisation internationale de la francophonei (International Organization of French Speakers).
French is the official language of the country since its colonial period was under Belgium rule.
Republic of Congo is a francophone country , and in 2023, 3.7 million people out of 6.1 million ( 60.69%)
Congo and its rich history
In 1870, explorer Henry Morton Stanley arrived in and explored what is now the DR Congo. Belgian
colonization of DR Congo began in 1885 when King Leopold II founded and ruled the Congo Free State.
The country that began as a king’s private domain (the Congo Free State), evolved into a colony (the
Belgian Congo), became independent in 1960 (as the Republic of the Congo), and later underwent several
name changes (to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, then to Zaire, and back again to the Democratic
Republic of the Congo) . All, in one way or another, have left their imprint on Congolese societies.
Congo’s many ethnic groups and regions have developed a mosaic of traditional arts, including painting,
sculpture, music, and dance.
 Les fetes de congo
◦ Festival De Gungu - Gungu Festival -
The National Gungu Festival( FESNAG) is an annual gathering that celebrates the musical and dance
cultures of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Originally, it was a manifestation of socio cultural and
tourism promotion of the traditional Pende culture by the local communities for its development.
◦ Commemoration of the Martyrs of Independence -
This annual celebration is held every January 4th. Also known as Martyr’s Day, the Commemoration of the
Martyrs of Independence is held as a double event to remember the victims of violence against human rights
and also the martyrs of justice.
◦ Youth Day
The Congo celebrates Youth Day on October 14. During this national day, different organizations host
sporting events and other festivities for young people.
◦ The independence day of congo is celebrated on July 30 .
Les célèbres du congo
◦ Les Cusines - Fufu, along with pondu, is the Congo's staple cuisine par
excellence.
◦ Les danses - Congolese rumba is a musical genre and a dance used in formal
and informal spaces for celebration and mourning. It is primarily an urban
practice danced by a male-female couple.
◦ les vêtements- The traditional clothing of the people of Congo for both men
and women is made from Raffia, a material from a type of palm.