Congo Culture Characteristics

THE CONGO
Greg Foster II
United Sates Army

The Democratic Republic of the Congo also known as Zaire, DR Congo, DRC, DROC, Congo-Kinshasa, East Congo or simply the Congo. It is the second largest country in Africa and the 11th largest country in world. With a population of over 78 million, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the fourth most-populated nation in Africa and the 17th most populated country in the world. I will be informing you about the Congo culture, five major characteristics that define culture, the common culture characteristics of the Congo as well as some military history pertaining to the Congo region. Culture is defined as the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group; also: the characteristic features of everyday existence (such as diversions or a way of life) shared by people in a place or time Culture has five basic characteristics: It is learned, shared, based on symbols, integrated, and dynamic. All cultures share these basic features. Culture is learned. There are 242 languages spoken in the

Congolese nationalist Patrice Lumumba was elected the first Prime Minister, while Joseph Kasa-Vubu became the first President. Conflict arose over the administration of the territory which became known as the Congo Crisis. The provinces of Katanga, under Moïse Tshombe, and South Kasai attempted to secede from the Congo. On 5 September 1960, Kasa-Vubu dismissed Lumumba from office, encouraged by the United States and Belgium after Lumumba turned to the Soviet Union for assistance in the crisis. On 14 September, with U.S. and Belgian support, Lumumba was arrested by forces loyal to Army Chief of Staff Joseph-Désiré Mobutu, who had gained control over the country, and on 17 January 1961 Lumumba was handed over to Katangan authorities and executed by Belgian-led Katangese