Chinese perform traditional rites in purchase of DR Congo mine

KINSHASA – Chinese officials performed a traditional Congolese ceremony at a meeting to finalise the purchase of a mining concern near Kinshasa, local media reported Friday.

The officials, from the China Railways Engineering Cooperation (CREC), offered palm wine, cola nuts, sacks of rice, salt and fish to the ancestors of the royal family of the region, said Radio Okapi. In making the offerings, they were following local tradition at the purchase of the concern from the Matampa Kimwenza Ngudia Baka group.The ceremony took place at the village of Nsabuka, in Bas-Congo province, about 15 kilometres from the capital Kinshasa.DR Congo’s deputy minister of Public Works attended the ceremony.The daily newspaper L’Avenir said the Chinese officials carried out the rites in a part of the country where the idea of ancestral power is still taken seriously.The CREC specialises in projects involving mining and developing the infrastructure.It has already started several projects across the Democratic Republic of Congo.Nampa-AFPIn making the offerings, they were following local tradition at the purchase of the concern from the Matampa Kimwenza Ngudia Baka group.The ceremony took place at the village of Nsabuka, in Bas-Congo province, about 15 kilometres from the capital Kinshasa.DR Congo’s deputy minister of Public Works attended the ceremony.The daily newspaper L’Avenir said the Chinese officials carried out the rites in a part of the country where the idea of ancestral power is still taken seriously.The CREC specialises in projects involving mining and developing the infrastructure.It has already started several projects across the Democratic Republic of Congo.Nampa-AFP

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.

The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.