UNESCO honors Congo’s rumba, adds it to the list of global cultural treasures

Congo’s rumba was lauded by UNESCO on Tuesday as it added Central African music and dance to its list of global cultural treasures. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo submitted a joint bid for their rumba to receive heritage status for its unique sound that melds the drums of enslaved Africans with the melody of Spanish colonists.

UNESCO, the cultural and scientific agency of the United Nations, said in its citation to add music to its list of assets of intangible cultural value to humanity, saying, “The rumba is used for celebration and mourning in private, public and religious places.” “

The rumba is an essential and representative part of the identity of the Congolese people and their diaspora.

The office of Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi tweeted: “The President of the Republic of the Congo welcomes the Rumba of the Congo with pleasure and pride to be included in the list.”