Rumba: The Congolese Music Genre Connecting West Nile

Time check: 11:21 pm, a music band group, from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo serving its weekly doze of entertainment to revelers at Capital One Lounge, in Uganda’s northwestern city of Arua.

The band, with its trademark Congolese Rumba Music is something most people look up to close the weekend. Beyond that, the multicultural rhythm of its drums, guitars, and shakers glues up Arua’s multinational and cultural community. 

This growing city is rooted in a cultural mix. It is home to nationals from Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan with some as far as Central African Republic.  

“I always have a good time every time I come here at Capital One and this day is my favorite where the band gets to play my best music. This music is our identity as a people and it’s a place for us to connect,” says Ringo Audra, a DR Congolese national who lives in Arua.

For the longest time, Arua and the largest part of Northwestern Uganda has been a cultural melting point of people from the three countries. The Rumba Music has been served as the glue that connects the diverse cultural landscape. 

However, the influx of refugees who flee violence in Eastern Congo and South Sudan have added to the cross-cultural mix, offering new demands for entertainment and strengthening the place of Rumba. 

Artists in the region are now fusing their local language with Rumba beats to fit into the market. Mandela Mubarak, also known as Free Boy, is one such example. 

“We blend the Congolese and south Sudanese culture to make who we are and we are inspired by the Congolese culture as well as the two boarders,” explained Free Boy.

Congolese rumba, also known as African rumba, is a dance music genre originating from the Republic of the Congo and Democratic Republic of the Congo. It has gained global recognition as an integral part of African music heritage. 

According to Irishad Issa, the acting Spokesperson for West Nile Music Association, an umbrella body that unites all singers in the region, the organization has had to incorporate artists from across the border because of the music connectivity. 

“It is a unifying association. We ask singers from other countries within our neighborhood to enroll as  members. That’s how we are expanding and building a community,” Issa says.

That association membership has now shot to 500, and from the neighboring countries.  The artists use Rumba to break through in West Nile since natives resonate with not only the beats, the sound but also the lyrics.

According to Sydney Efiti the manager at Capital One Lounge, the band evening serve as both a good time and space for the city’s multinational community to connect. 

It is also an opportunity for younger singers from across the border to make a living. 

“We source bands from Democratic Republic Of Congo and some of the members stay around as well. From Monday to Saturday they are working from DRC at other jobs earning extra income and on Sunday they come to perform.”  Efiti says.

According to the Musicians Association, Ugandan singers get invites across the border to sing the entertain revelers across the border.  

“Usually we cross over and perform and no legal documents are required also they come over and perform,” Issa says. 

Rhumba, a genre that defines Congolese music tastes  also referred to as “good thing” and African rumba gets revelers to the dance floor from the beginning to end .

The demand of the cross-cultural music in Arua and westnile region is on high. Arua is also known for hosting Congolese biggest artists.  

Awilo Longomba a legendary Congolese artist frequents Arua City and his concerts unites both Congolese and Ugandans with people crossing the boarder to attend his events . 

Aiko Zack an events organizer in  West Nile opined that Congolese and regional artists are the icing on the cakes on any event in the region . 

“The last time Awilo came to Arua I remember Nile buses brought people to attend the concert . We sold some tickets even in Congo to people to attend .” Said Aiko 

According to Free Boy the dominant Afro beats  genre from West Africa is an inspiration from Congolese Music with legends such as Awilo Longomba being pioneers   

Afro beats defines West Africa’s music believed to have been formalized by  Fella Kuti. This genre has conquered Africa as a continent to the world . 

Unlike Afro beats lyrics where people groove to beats,  Lingala Rhumba speaks to people and acts as a means of communication through the music passing on message since the listeners also understand the language.

Lingala  Rhumba is a genre shared by three countries; Democratic Republic of Congo, West Nile  Uganda, and South Sudan as an identity, to the extent that natives cross borders to attend events where artists who they share in common perform.