Congo


 * //Sutton Kredt//**

WELCOME TO... CONGO! :D
[|Background Info] Written history of Congo:(below)
 * [|History of Congo:]

Summary of Congo. Congo is located in the "east" middle area of Africa. The country of Congo has been changed from Zaire and back to Congo and seems to have troubles with nearby countries. The congolese people aren't the richest, but they have the food and things they need to keep them living (Varies in different areas). People here speak a variety of languages consisting of French,Lingala,Kingwana, Kikongo, and Tshiluba. || [| Timeline of Congo] || Geography Map of Counry on world map. We lie on the equator :D || [|Conflicts] [|Conflicts] Summary of Conflicts: There are problems with getting basic resources, the countries around Congo, deaths,displaces refugees, poverty and hunger, endangered animals, money, and war. (Historical and present,) Health issues (disease), not very rich to have the best shelter, discrimination against tropical forest foragers (not seeing them if they need medical help), back in 1998 they had a 5 year civil war resulting in many deaths. || [|Enemies] [|Enemies2] Summary of Enemies: When this country came to be the first leader Patrice Lumumba served but then was assasinated by polictical enemies and with "support" from the CIA. Soon after a new cruel leader by the name of Mobutu Sese Seko was elected and served as a dictator for 32 years. During his serving in 1997 Mobutu was finally toppled into a coup led by Laurent Kabila, but this little "liberation" did not bring democracy or relief. Kabila had his help from armies (countires) of Rwanda and Uganda, but those "friends" soon turned against him because Kabila was harboring the Hutu malitiaman who were complicit in the Rwandan genocide (1994). Rushing to come and help Kabila were rescue troops from Angola,Chad,Namibia, and Zimbawbe. Congo later faught in a war lasting 5 years. After the war had ended in 2001 Kabila was assassinated and his son Joseph Kabila took over, hoping to find an end in his fathers war. Near the end of 2002 hundreds of the Congolese political leaders and civic leaders met up in Sun City,South Africa to try and figure out the future for this "postwar". December 17th 2002 they had formed a major peace agreement that was signed to pull foreign troops out of east Congo.. || -The languages of the Congolese consist of some french, but Mbote (hello) seems to be more common. -In more urban areas men and women generally shake hands, greet, and smile. If your meeting someone for the first time you mainly just shake hands. If your greeting your close friend you'd meet with a handshake, followed by a hug and 3 kisses to the cheek. -Lingala (in Kinshasa in the west),Kikongo (west and southwest),Tshibula (central and southern regions), Swahili (east). -Most people speak their own ethnic language including one or more of the other "more common" languages. [|Religions:] [|Life Cycle:] [|Family:] [|Dating and Marriage:] Sports/ Recreation! -Soccer is a common sport. Rural Congolese like gatherings where they play drums and dance. -Many of these Congolese spend their time socializing,dancing, or listening to music. JAMMINN' :D [|Holidays:] Symbolism- For residents the "mythology" of the region is tied firm to mystical powers of animals. Families will take a certain animal spirit to often represent them and even raise totem poles to signify the event. -Most Congolese learn to sing to help make work more fun and easy! They have songs for fishing,planting, and even how to use something! || Traditional Clothing: -Westerny style for the men. -Women wear dresses called //pagne's.// //-//Children wear shorts. -Some of the rural congolese mix their more traditional clothing with the western style. -Bou Bou's are colorful strips of cloths that can go with any wardobe. Headwraps and turbans are worn by women. -Meals are usually eaten with the fingers of the right hand only. -When the Congolese use untensils the observe the continental style of eating with the fork in the left hand the knife in the right hand. -Men and Women eat from seperate bowls. FOODS. -Cassava,rice,potatoes,bananas,yams,beans,corn,fish,peanuts, and a variety of fruits and vegetables.Pineapple, -Fruits consist of mangoes,oranges,pawpaw, (papaya) and coconuts. (Sugarcane is also grown.) -Congonese purchase perishable foods mostly on a daily basis. -The congolese need protein! (Many are suffering from malnutrition) -[|Food] -The Congo River is one of the most important natural resources, they use it for food,transportation,and even electricity! Typicallll. || CONGO,AFRICA
 * Map of the world with your country highlighted (top right hand corner.) || [|Historical Conflicts]
 * Culture/traditions:
 * [[image:bogolan+women.jpg width="324" height="215"]] || Traditional Foods (how they eat)

What does the flag mean? The blue represents peace and hope, red represent the blood of the country's wealth and prosperity, and the star symbolizes unity and the brilliant future for the country. ^ :D <Congo River :D

Sources: [|Culture Grams] [|CIA FACTBOOK] [|Culture of Reupblic of Con...] [|CongINFO]
 * Link History,enemies,and conflicts.