In a recent address to Thomas Luhaka, Balufu Bakupa-Kanyinda, director-general of the Central Cultural and Artistic Center for Central African Countries (CCAPAC) - Grand Tambour, emphasized the importance of preserving the historical memory of the Kongo kingdom beyond current national borders. He cited Kimpa Mvita, a prominent figure in the kingdom's history, as an example of a legacy that transcends modern-day national affiliations.
Kimpa Mvita lived in areas now part of Angola, but her heritage belongs to the Kongo kingdom, which spanned across multiple countries. Bakupa-Kanyinda argued that attributing a contemporary nationality to her would be anachronistic, as her world was that of a kingdom, not a nation-state. He stressed that peoples can inherit a legacy older than their states and that the history of the Congo did not begin with the independent Congo state.
The Kongo kingdom's territory did not coincide with its cultural area, and its legacy is shared among multiple modern nations. Bakupa-Kanyinda's initiative to honor Kimpa Mvita in the Democratic Republic of Congo is based on this historical context. He proposed that national recognition can express a community's debt to a historical figure without implying retrospective citizenship or exclusive ownership of their memory.
The director-general of CCAPAC - Grand Tambour urged the heirs of the Kongo kingdom, including those in Angola, the Republic of Congo, and other communities, to take responsibility for knowing, documenting, and sharing their common history. Honoring Kimpa Mvita, he said, should foster dialogue and collaboration among these groups.
Bakupa-Kanyinda's reflection also announced the upcoming publication of his book, "Le Grand Tambour. Dialogue et Territoires," which explores the construction of the Congolese historical narrative before and after 1885. The book examines the legacies, silences, and representations that continue to shape the country's self-image.
In his address, Bakupa-Kanyinda expressed hope for continued dialogue with Thomas Luhaka, particularly about the gaps and untold stories in Congolese history. He believes that disagreements can become opportunities for research when participants bring their sources and test their assumptions.
The legacy of Kimpa Mvita, a woman who called for reconciliation and the rebuilding of Mbanza Kongo, continues to resonate with contemporary generations. Bakupa-Kanyinda concluded his reflection by emphasizing that national borders should not divide the memory of the Kongo kingdom, and that its history should be preserved and shared among its heirs.
Key points
- The Kongo kingdom's legacy transcends modern national borders.
- Kimpa Mvita's story is an example of a shared cultural heritage.
- Preserving historical memory requires collaboration among nations and communities.
