Bunkeya et ses chefs provides a history of town of Bunkeya, a traditional centre of rule in Katanga, the south-easterly province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Primarily, it tells the history... Show moreBunkeya et ses chefs provides a history of town of Bunkeya, a traditional centre of rule in Katanga, the south-easterly province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Primarily, it tells the history of the Yeke chiefs, the first of whom, Msiri, founded a kingdom based on slave exports and the control of firearms. In 1891 Msiri was assassinated by the Belgian colonisers, and his capital was abandoned. However, his successors established good relations with the Belgians, and from 1910 returned to Bunkeya, which became a regional centre, with schools, missions and a flourishing commerce. On the basis of the education they received, the successors of Msiri, above all the brothers Antoine and Godefroid Munongo, became major political figures in the region. In particular Godefroid was a leading politician, advocating Katangese succession. In the turbulent times after the independence of Congo, Godefroid was i.a. heavily involved in the murder of Patrice Lumumba, and the government of Moise Tshombe, but nevertheless managed to survive, and to became a leading lieutenant of the dictator Mobuto. Godeforid was able to use the power he so accrued to greatly improve the economic position of Bunkeya, so that it is now a flourishing commercial town. Show less
In "The Objects of Life in Central Africa" the history of consumption and social change from 1840 until 1980 is explored. By taking consumption as a vantage point, the contributions deviate from... Show moreIn "The Objects of Life in Central Africa" the history of consumption and social change from 1840 until 1980 is explored. By taking consumption as a vantage point, the contributions deviate from and add to previous works which have mainly analysed issues of production from an economic and political perspective. The chapters are broad-ranging in temporal and geographical focus, including contributions on Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Angola. Topics range from the social history of firearms to the perception of the railway and include contributions on sewing machines, traders and advertising. By looking at the socio-economic, political and cultural meaning and impact of goods the history of Central Africa is reassessed. Show less
