Congo's Dancers: Women and Work in Kinshasa

Dance music is essential to the cultural, social, religious, and family lives of the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Congolese rumba is one of the country's most well-known cultural exports, but male bandleaders, singers, and musicians have historically dominated the public image. Lesley Nicole Braun's book "Dancers" examines the politics of control and the ways in which notions of visibility, virtue, and socio-economic opportunity are interlinked in this urban African context. Braun highlights the challenges that women face in Kinshasa as they navigate the public sphere and illustrates the gendered differences of local patronage politics that shape public morality.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 24 January 2023
Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press

Dance music holds a vital significance in the cultural, social, religious, and family realms of the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Among the diverse genres cherished in the capital city of Kinshasa, Congolese rumba holds a special place and can be regarded as one of the DRC's most renowned cultural exports. Historically, the public perception of rumba was predominantly shaped by male bandleaders, singers, and musicians. However, with the introduction of the danseuse (professional concert dancer) in the late 1970s, the role of women as cultural, moral, and economic actors gained prominence, further elevating the international profile of Congolese rumba.

In her book, Dancers: Lesley Nicole Braun explores the politics of control and the interconnectedness of notions of visibility, virtue, and socio-economic opportunity within the urban African context of Kinshasa. Braun's work sheds light on the fact that public visibility is crucial for building the social networks necessary for economic independence, albeit often leading to social opprobrium for women. The danseuse serves as an exemplar of the challenges women encounter in navigating the public sphere in Kinshasa, highlighting the gendered differences in local patronage politics that shape public morality. Braun, as an ethnographer, gained unique access to the world she documents, having been invited to participate as a concert dancer herself.

Through her ethnographic lens, Braun delves into the complex dynamics of power, gender, and patronage in Kinshasa's dance scene. She examines how the danseuse, as a female performer, navigates the social and economic barriers that limit her opportunities. Braun highlights the danseuse's ability to create a sense of community and solidarity among women, particularly in the face of adversity. She also explores the danseuse's role in shaping public morality and promoting social change.

Braun's book offers valuable insights into the intersection of gender, culture, and economics in Kinshasa. It challenges traditional narratives of African women's oppression and highlights their agency and resilience in the face of adversity. Dancers provides a nuanced understanding of the complexities of urban life in Africa and sheds light on the ways in which dance can be used as a tool for social transformation and empowerment.

In conclusion, dance music plays a central role in the cultural, social, religious, and family lives of the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Congolese rumba, in particular, holds a special place in the country's heritage and has gained international recognition through the contributions of male bandleaders, singers, and musicians. However, with the introduction of the danseuse in the late 1970s, women's roles as cultural, moral, and economic actors have come to the forefront, further elevating the international profile of Congolese rumba. Lesley Nicole Braun's book, Dancers: Lesley Nicole Braun, provides a powerful exploration of the politics of control, visibility, virtue, and socio-economic opportunity in Kinshasa's dance scene. Through her ethnographic lens, Braun sheds light on the challenges faced by women in navigating the public sphere and highlights the danseuse's role in shaping public morality and promoting social change. Dancers offers valuable insights into the intersection of gender, culture, and economics in Kinshasa and serves as a testament to the resilience and agency of African women in the face of adversity.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780299340308