Jun 22, 2021
Episode 48 is a special one to me, and I'll tell you why in just a second.
We're headed to the Democratic Republic of Congo for this stop on our Around the World series, and if you know anything about African music, you probably already know that Congo is kind of the epicenter of it. The musical traditions that grew up there have rippled out across the entire continent — so much of what we hear in African folk music traces back, in some way, to the DRC.
In this episode, we explore the folk music of the Congolese people: where it comes from, what it sounds like, and why it sounds that way. There's so much variety here, shaped by the many different communities and traditions that make up this enormous, beautiful country.
I also want to say a huge thank-you to Blandine Boluka, who lives in Kinshasa and was an incredible resource as I put this episode together. Having someone on the ground — someone who actually grew up in this music — made such a difference, and I'm so grateful she was willing to share her knowledge with me.
(And yes, this episode holds an extra layer of meaning for our family. Our son was adopted from Congo, and getting to learn more about the music of his birth country is something I don't take lightly.)
After you listen, print your passport stamp below and add it to your musical passport!
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Musical Samples You'll Hear in this Episode:
BIBOC - traditional folk musical assembly of Democratic Republic of Congo - YouTube
"Ngange" Bakolo Music International au Centre Wallonie Bruxelles - YouTube
Africa Mokili Mobimba | Playing For Change | Song Around The World - YouTube
Music Listening Schedule for Episode 48
I've created a YouTube playlist for you with a variety of Congolese folk music performances. Check it out here.
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