Ley Uwera, GPJ DRC
Yvonne Mwale, a singer from Zambia, mixes pop with traditional rhythms. The performance was a crowd favorite on Saturday.
GOMA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO — For the third straight year, Goma is playing host to the Amani Festival, an event that brings people of Africa’s Great Lakes region together through music.
The Great Lakes region experienced a rash of violent conflicts over the last 20 years, including the Rwandan genocide, civil war in Burundi and internal and cross-border conflict by armed groups in DRC.
The three-day festival, which began Friday, is named for the Swahili word amani, which means peace.
Festival promoter Eric de Lamotte says he is committed to advancing peace in the community.
“We intend to offer a festive space, allowing people to divert their attention away from everyday problems and the effects of war,” he says. “The people of the Great Lakes region will meet and think about a better shared future.”
There are 36,000 tickets available for the festival.
Kelvin Batumike, a cultural entrepreneur from Goma, says the festival is an opportunity for large-scale advocacy.
“All sections of the population will be represented,” he says. “Artists have the opportunity to express themselves and show that despite the war, Goma is a better place to live.”
Promoter de Lamotte says organizers worked to bring culturally attractive artists who share the same goal of promoting peace and reconciliation through dance and singing. Local artists will perform alongside featured artists from the region, including renowned Senegalese artist Ismaël Lô, Nigerian hip-hop, reggae and soul singer Nneka, Congolese singer Werrason and Zao, a popular Congolese artist and humorist from Brazzaville.
The festival slogan is “Playing for Change, Singing for Peace.”
“We believe that the culture, generally speaking, can become both the expression and the driving force behind a new society,” says de Lamotte. “Change will only come out of peace, unity and sharing.”
Ley Uwera, GPJ DRC
Sango’a is a cultural association made up of more than 60 artists from the Goma area. Their contemporary dance numbers offer strong messages of peace and unity.
Ley Uwera, GPJ DRC
Dancers for Werrason, a popular Congolese rumba artist, excited crowds on Saturday afternoon.
Noella Nyirabihogo, GPJ DRC
More than 36,000 people were expected to attend the festival last weekend.
Ley Uwera, GPJ DRC
Members of the Matakiyo Group wear traditional clothes and face paint.
Ley Uwera, GPJ DRC
A member of the Matakiyo Group prepares to perform on Saturday. The group highlights the traditional dance of the Nande tribe.
Ley Uwera, GPJ DRC
Matakiyo means wish in Swahili.
Ley Uwera, GPJ DRC
There are 37 young people in the Matakiyo Group. The group was started by two local mothers in 1998.
Ley Uwera, GPJ DRC
The youngest member of the Matakiyo Group is four years old. His dance performance was a crowd favorite on Saturday.
Ley Uwera, GPJ DRC
Organizers confirmed that a majority of attendees were young people.
Ley Uwera, GPJ DRC
Many young people painted heart-shaped flags on their faces to symbolize their love of their country. The three-day celebration was peaceful.
Ndayaho Sylvestre, GPJ, translated this article from French.
