The Tshokwe: Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Tshokwe are a major people of Central Africa who have been present for six centuries on the borders of Zambia, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their structured social organisation gave them a military and commercial advantage. Thanks to this dominant position, they have developed an artistic heritage which gradually became their main identity factor. Today, there are two million Tshokwe, half of whom reside in Congo DRC. The people continue to assert their desire to exist through their culture. And the power of their art is internationally recognised. This reference work allows us to discover the daily life of the Tshokwe but also their crafts, the symbolism of their masks, the power of their rites and the fervor of their popular festivals. It makes us understand how their attachment to tradition helps them to chart a course for the future. Text in English and French. AUTHORS: Angelo Turconi has spent over 50 years photographing the artworks, cultural pieces, and traditions of the DRC. Felix U. Kaputu, PhD in anthropology, is a professor at the University of Lubumbashi and collaborates with higher education institutions worldwide. Francois Neyt is an art historian. Guillaume Jan is a writer whose works include a number of stories on the subject of the Congo, including Le Baobab de Stanley (2009), Traine-Savane (2014) and Samourais dans la brousse (2018). 150 colour illustrations