Kikwit

Kikwit
Kikwit

Location in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Coordinates: 5°02′19″S 18°49′05″E / 5.03861°S 18.81806°E / -5.03861; 18.81806Coordinates: 5°02′19″S 18°49′05″E / 5.03861°S 18.81806°E / -5.03861; 18.81806
Country Democratic Republic of the Congo
Province Kwilu Province
Area
 • Total 92 km2 (36 sq mi)
Elevation 452 m (1,483 ft)
Population (2012)
 • Total 397,737
 • Density 4,300/km2 (11,000/sq mi)
Climate Aw
National language Kikongo

Kikwit is the largest city and capital of Kwilu Province, lying on the Kwilu River in the southwestern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kikwit is also known in the region under the nickname "The Mother". The population is approximately 397,737 (2012). An important commercial and administrative centre, it is home to a stadium and is known for its traditional dances, in particular the Bapende dancers whose geographic origin centers on the village of Gungu. Bapende dancers often wear traditional costumes comprising colorful masks and attire made from raffia. Kikwit is also home to an airport and is connected to the capital Kinshasa by a new road and river transport.

The Munganji dancer is central to Pende dance ceremonies. The full-body suit is woven from raffia thread.

In 1995 the city saw a serious outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus.[1]

Singer King Kester Emeneya was born in Kikwit in 1956. In April 2014, a tribute concert held in Kikwit to honor King Kester Emeneya ended in disaster, and least thirteen people in the stadium lost their lives in a stampede following a power failure.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Outbreak of Ebola Viral Hemorrhagic Fever -- Zaire, 1995". Centers for Disease Control. 19 May 1995. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  2. ↑ "Deadly stampede at tribute concert in Democratic Republic of Congo". Deutsche Welle. 2014-04-25. Retrieved 2014-04-29.


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