What is "culture?"

When you hear the word "culture," what comes to mind?

Most of us may be inclined to think of the arts and humanities, of fine foods and museums. But in an ever globalizing world, it is important to take a closer look at an alternative meaning of "culture." 

Culture

A system of collectively shared knowledge and beliefs that shapes how we generate our own behavior and how we interpret the behavior of others. 

Our world encompasses many cultures! It is integral to remember that not everyone views the world the same way that you do. When we talk about the culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo please keep in mind that in the same way we cannot assume everyone in the world shares the same knowledge and beliefs that we do, we also cannot generalize even the people within one specific country. There are norms and values that are mostly widespread within these larger cultures that comprise our globe, but under that umbrella of what we may call a "national culture" there are many sub-cultures and micro-cultures. This is important to note so we may clearly demonstrate that learning about the culture of one country will absolutely add to the success of your endeavors but it will by no means protect you from confusing social situations and difficulties while interacting with the Congolese people. This is where the concept of humility comes into play...

A Valuable Tool: Humility

Humility

Modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, status, rank, etc. 

The above is a dictionary definition of "humility." For our purposes the concept of humility does involve this definition, but I would say that it also means setting aside our sense of entitlement. One of the best ways to avoid cultural misunderstandings is by removing yourself as much as possible from your own culture while maintaining and open-minded and accepting attitude about the culture you are visiting.

When you find yourself in difficult circumstances or you aren't sure how to communicate or behave, be humble. Even when you do not know the language well, humility will translate in almost any situation. It will be one of your most valuable tools! Along with this humility, heighten your awareness and pay attention to what the people around you are doing and imitate that behavior.

Humility will help remove your ethnocentrism.

Ethnocentrism
The idea that one's own culture (values, beliefs, understandings) is the best. 


We have all grown up in a cultural system that has inevitably shaped how we understand the people and world that surround us. To understand this better, let's think of culture as a pair of glasses - we all have lens' that we view the world through, and each pair has a different prescription.

That prescription is shaped both by the culture of the society we live in as well as our individual experiences. Each prescription is unique. For our purposes we will be looking at culture only... 

We cannot judge the next person's culture through our own cultural prescription. Values and standards vary greatly from culture to culture, and we cannot judge other cultures around the world relative to our own.

"Civilization is relative . . .  

our ideas and conceptions are true only so far as our civilization goes."

- Franz Boas,  the Father of American Anthropology 

In essence, we must be intentional about viewing another culture by its own values and standards rather than our own. 

Some "W's" of the Congo

Who

Population: approximately 71.71 million

• 44% of this population is less than fifteen years of age
• There are over 200 ethnic groups 
• The 4 largest ethnic groups
• Mongo
• Luba
• Kongo
• Mangbetu-Azande
• In general these ethnic groups do live in peace. However, when political (both national and international) opposition occurs, these differences are sometimes exploited

Children walking from a camp for displaced persons, Eastern Congo

Traditional Congolese Hairstyle in village of Bangadi

Woman with umbrella in Minova

What

The Democratic Republic of the Congo may also be referred to as:

• DRC
• Congo
• Congo-Kinshasha
• DR Congo

Flag of the DRC

In terms of size, the DRC is the eleventh largest country in the world. Although the Congo is relatively settled now as a presidential democratic republic, the journey to this point has been filled with political turmoil, guerilla groups and violence, and social unrest. There is, from a humanitarian standpoint, still much work to be done to provide the Congolese people with a government that protects and takes care of them.

The President - Joseph Kabila

Currency - Congolese Franc

Where

Where is the Democratic Republic of the Congo located? 

Right in the middle of the beautiful continent of Africa! 

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is bordered by nine other countries:

• Central African Republic
• Republic of Congo 
• Angola 
• Zambia
• Tanzania
• Burundi
• Rwanda
• Uganda
• Sudan

DR Congo up close

The capital of the DRC is Kinshasa, the most populous city in the country.

Africa consists of a variety of different climates and vegetation, as well as varying topography. The DRC houses the second largest rainforest area in the world - the land is mostly covered by tropical rainforest with some deciduous forest, the "woodland savanna," as well. The Congo River is the deepest river in the world and flows through the rainforest into neighboring Republic of Congo.

Along the Congo River, Minkebe Reserve

The river is important to trade of goods and hydroelectric energy, as well as transportation: waterways serve as roads deep in the rain forest. 

Congo Basin

The Congo Basin is home to beautiful wildlife and many different species, including the Chimpanzee, Bonobo, Hippos, Forest Elephant, and Moutain Gorilla.

Mountain Gorilla, Virunga National Park, Eastern Congo

When

Depending on what kind of conditions you are comfortable with, you will want to pay attention to the seasons in the DR Congo. The climate is tropical, but varies with location:

• Equatorial river basin - hot and humid
• Southern highlands - cool and dry 
• Eastern highlands - cool and wet

If you are traveling north of the equator...

• Wet season - April to October 
• Dry season - December to February

If you are traveling south of the equator...

• Wet season - November to March
• Dry season - April to October

--> Remember to bring your sunscreen - you may be in regions of the country that are close to the equator and the last thing you will need is a sunburn! 

This is a tropical climate, which means there will be mosquitoes. Many children and even adults contract malaria through mosquito bites, so be sure to bring mosquito nets or purchase them as soon as possible when you arrive.

It is recommended that you follow these general healthcare guidelines from the U.S. Department of State to prepare yourself!



Now that we've covered some of the basics, we can move on to the how's ...

KEEP IN MIND 
As we go through various facets of the culture of the DRC that we cannot generalize every single individual that lives there. Be conscientious of this in all your interactions, maintaining an open mind and willingness to learn and adapt to different situations!

Language

When visiting another country it is most ideal to be relatively proficient in their main language. Depending on the purpose of your trip and the region of the country you will be spending most of your time, you will want to be sure you know enough basic phrases in the main language(s) so you can interact with the people you will be working around and building relationships with.

The official language of the Congo is French, used in international commerce, the education system, and within government. Most Congolese will speak French fluently and English at different levels of proficiency, as well as one of the four national languages: 

1. Lingala - spoken within Kinshasha & the western area of the country
2. Kikongo - spoken in the western & southwestern areas of the country
3. Tshiluba - spoken in the central & southern areas of the country
4. Swahili - spoken in the eastern area of the country

It can be overwhelming enough to learn one new language, but to try to learn the national languages as well? That would take some time, and you are not at all discouraged from doing so. However, be encouraged to know that if you can develop some skills in speaking French, you will be able to communicate with most anyone!

Remember: as long as you approach every situation you encounter with humility and a willingness to learn, it is absolutely okay if you don't always speak the language perfectly and/or fluently. The majority of Congolese people are very friendly and considerate, and will genuinely appreciate your effort to communicate with them in their language. If your effort is obvious, they will be more than willing to help you!

Now, for some useful phrases in French to get you started!

• Bonjour - Hello/Good morning 
• Bonsoir - Hello/Good evening
• How are you? - Comment allez-vous? 
• Very well, thanks - Tres bien, merci. 
• Yes - Oui
• No - Non
• Please - Si vous plait 
• Thank you - Merci 
• You're welcome (It's nothing) - Il n'y a pas de quoi
• Excuse me - Excusez-moi
• Do you speak English? - Est-ce que vous pouvez anglais?
• Can you help me? - Est-ce que vous pouvez m'aider?
• I don't understand. - Je ne comprends pas.
• Sorry - Desole
• Where? - Ou? 
• When? - Quand?
• How? - Comment?
• Why? - Pourquoi? 
• Who? - Qui? 
• I'd like... - Je Voudrais...
• I want... - Je veux...
• How much?/How many? - Combien? 
• That's fine. - C'est bien. 

It is suggested that you purchase a small English-French translation dictionary, as well as hire a translator to travel with you. It would also be beneficial to find someone that is willing to tutor you during your initial visits/time in the country - it is so valuable to be immersed in a culture while you are learning that language. To navigate your way through each day you will need to at least try to speak this new language, and this facilitates greater learning. You'll sound like a native speaker before you know it!

But is it just spoken language we need to be concerned about? Certainly not. Nonverbal communication is also an important part of interacting with others, even within your home country! This kind of communication can sometimes tend to vary person to person, however to be sure you don't communicate the wrong message there are a few things you should know about the Congolese people in general before you go:

1. People in the Congo do genuinely care for others and are careful not to offend - however, their speech tends to be very abrupt, something we aren't normally used to in America. This kind of talking might come off as being abrasive to you... but do your best not to jump to conclusions or become easily offended if a new friend is very "to the point" and does not interact in a social dance with you. 
• By "social dance," I am referring to the kinds of pleasantries we use here in the United States. For example: You are shopping at the mall and you pass someone you used to have classes with in high school, but you never really saw them much outside of school. They stop to say hello and you both inquire about what the other is up to these days... as the conversation appears to be coming to a close, you suggest it would be nice to get together for coffee soon. Do you really want to get coffee soon? There may be certain times when we do want to "catch up" with an acquaintance from our past, but most of the time it's just something we do to be nice. It is very unlikely to encounter something like this in the Congo, and it is strongly suggested to be as matter-of-fact as possible in all conversations. As a rule of thumb, remember this famous phrase: Say what you mean and mean what you say! You new friends in the Congo will take you at your word, be respectful of this and avoid speaking carelessly at all times. 
2. The valued "mind your manners" is manifested differently in the DRC. Congolese people will often not say "please" or "thank you." Do not let this create conflict - give things time and you will see gratitude and appreciation expressed through actions, rather than pleases and thank-you's. 
• It can be a challenge to remove oneself from cultural norms such as these and adhere to different sets of standards and values, but you are encouraged to try! It is not likely that your efforts will be in vain. I always remember my elementary school math teacher, who always gave me at least partial credit for trying my best. I struggled with math just as anyone can struggle to learn a new system of cultural understandings - but don't be afraid to commend yourself for trying, and don't forget that the Congolese people are generally very kind and will notice it as well! 
3. Do not point or beckon with your index finger. While Americans sometimes consider this to be rude, we often brush it off in most situations. It is very inappropriate to do this in the Congo. If you need to beckon someone, wave with all of your fingers. 
4. Always use your right hand. 
• It seems like a given to use your right hand when shaking hands with someone during a greeting, but be sure to always do so! If for some reason your right hand is unclean, offer your right wrist. Do not ever offer your left hand. 
• If you are passing an object, always use your right hand. If it is heavy, you may use both. Never use the left hand alone - it is used to personal hygiene and this is inevitably considered very unclean and thus disrespectful. 

Religion

Regardless of an individual's personal faith or denomination, religion plays a huge part in the everyday lives of the Congolese people. People regularly go to worship services and participate in prayer/ritual.

Prayer during Catholic Mass, Village of Mweso

The majority of the population (80%) practices Christianity, which encompasses a variety of denominations.

• 50% Roman Catholic
• 20% Protestant
• 10% Kimbanguism - a form of Christianity combined with indigenous beliefs
• It is important to note that many individuals mix basic Christian values and beliefs with more traditional Animist beliefs 

Islam is practiced by approximately 10% of the population, mostly in Kinshasha and in the eastern part of the country, while the rest of the population ascribes to an indigenous/traditional religion. 

It is very important to respect religious practices and worship services during your visit. Be conscious not to plan anything "business/work related" on a Sunday, or on certain observed religious holidays, such as Christmas and Easter.

Baptist Church, Vanga

If you feel comfortable doing so, always accept an invitation to attend services with your new friends! For many, faith is an integral part of life and the Congolese individuals you are working with will appreciate that you are open-minded and respectful of something so important to them. In order to help people, you have to build relationships with them. One of the ways you can do this is by sharing in the things that matter to them, showing your respect and consequently gaining theirs.

People > Business

Remember that we cannot ever overgeneralize an entire population of a country, but in general you will find that the Congolese people value others more than most anything, including themselves. Here is where we get into the kinds of cross cultural differences that can result in misunderstandings, and here is also where it gets fun!

One of the best ways to examine culture is to look at your own culture first. Americans tend to put a lot of value on efficiency, timeliness, and the individual. In contrast to this, the Congolese put a lot of value on people (those around them), family, and community. Because the Congo is largely a communal society, you will find that the desires and needs of family, friends, and colleagues will be expected to come before those of the individual.

As a rule of thumb, keep this in mind:

Others > Self

Community > Individual

People > Schedules

On the surface this may not seem incredibly important, so let's apply it to a plausible real-life situation! 

Suppose you have planned to meet with a new friend/colleague for the afternoon meal at 2:00p.m. You've arrived a few minutes early just in case, and wait for their arrival. 

Over thirty minutes have gone by and you're still waiting - what do you do?

In America this is usually considered to be very unacceptable. In Congo, you should expect that your lunches/meetings will end up starting later, rather than early or on time. The Congolese like to truly enjoy life, and part of that means navigating through their day-to-day with flexible schedules and little rushing. Try your best not to react in the same way you would at home - you are a guest and you must respect these kinds of differences, even if it means making minor changes to the way you approach scheduling, social interaction, business, etc.

There are many reasons your new friend might have been late. Perhaps he/she had an appointment beforehand that was allowed to run much later than planned? This is a likely reason, because Congolese people don't "get down to business" in the same way that we do - remember: people > schedules. It is possible that your friend may have spent a lot of their time talking about personal topics like family and simply life in general. 

Your new friend might have had a personal or family emergency that held them up, causing them to be late or miss the date entirely. What constitutes an emergency? Do not be surprised if it isn't synonymous with the kind of emergency you might consider a viable excuse for missing an appointment! Americans tend to place their business/schedules at a higher level of importance than the Congolese ordinarily would - remove yourself as much as possible from your own cultural understandings and be considerate to the culture of your new friend. 

It will be very rewarding!  

Men & Women; Young & Old

Let's talk about the role of the individual within family and society as a whole. To begin, remember that you cannot judge Congolese culture with your own cultural prescription. Be open-minded!

MEN

Gold miners at Chucja Mine, near Village of Kobu

Men have traditionally been responsible for providing protection for their families, as well as transportation, healthcare, and various other products for the home. They manage the finances for the household and usually provide the income for the family.


Most men do not regard women as equals in terms of employment, and women are expected to be submissive and follow the lead of the man with all decisions. 

WOMEN

War-displaced mother, 20 years old, Dungu

Women carry a lot of responsibility in the home and carry a lot of weight in the community, though this often goes unnoticed. They are responsible for taking care of the family and maintenance of the household, wherever that is.


They take care of feeding the entire family, as well as any agricultural work. Sometimes the woman of the household will take up a trade, such as making necklaces, clothing, etc. and will sell these products at a local market to contribute to the family finances.


The view and role of women will vary from tribe to tribe, with some offering more freedoms than others. For a long time women were not allowed to attend school. In urban areas, education still shows bias toward males but is now available to women if they can afford it.


Domestic and sexual violence against women is sadly not uncommon in the DR Congo, and mass rape and violence against women has been used as a weapon of war by rebel groups in the DRC during its civil war, called "Africa's World War," that still wages today. 

CHILDREN 

A young girl, displaced by war, carries firewood, Goma

The primary caregiver of the children is the biological mother. However, this is a communal society and it is not unusual for all of the adults within a village/tribe to be considered "parents." In general, help is given where help is needed and this holds true for childcare. You will not see this as often in urban areas, where the parents hold all of the responsibility and will employ a babysitter if necessary. 


In some tribes, girls are considered "children" until they are married, which can occur at varying ages. Some may not leave their household until 18 years of age. Because of this, you may encounter disciplinary techniques from a parent that seem inappropriate for the age of the girl, but this is normal behavior. 


Children often help with keeping up the household, which can involve collecting wood, cleaning, and traveling to retrieve water for the family.


THE ELDERLY

A woman outside of her hut, Eastern Congo

Congolese people hold their elders in very high regards, and they are consulted to assist in making important decisions as well as in mediating conflicts within the community. 


As healthcare is extremely limited for everyone in the Congo and the elderly are highly respected in their communities, you will not find a family placing their elders in a home or healthcare facility as we do in America. 

Do your best to to remove yourself from your own cultural knowledge so you can learn about the values and beliefs of your new Congolese friends with an even more open mind! 

This is not to say you should forfeit your own values and beliefs - but to judge the new culture you are navigating your way through with those standards, not your own.