Cultural Quick Guide: Democratic Republic of the Congo

This guide is intended to help Boise State University (BSU) students prepare for their service-learning experience with the Idaho Office for Refugees (IOR). Learning about a refugee’s nation of origin, their culture, and their historic background is central to understanding who they are. Additionally, tips for teaching English and interacting socially will improve communication and the chances of a successful experience for both student and refugee. It takes many human-service professionals as well as volunteers from the community to participate in refugee resettlement. Thank you for helping to welcome refugees to our community.

The Staff of the BSUServiceLearningCenter

Where is the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is situated in central Africa. Although it is located centrally the nation is most commonly affiliated with the southern part of Africa and is a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This organization works to enhance the socio-economic cooperation between the 15 African States that below to it.

The Congo River system takes up an area of 400,00 square miles[KB1]. There are mountains in the northeast section of the country and are part of the East African Rift,where two tectonic plates converge. The tectonic activity is responsible for the geological activity in the country and for the high quantities of mineral wealth in the southeastern area called theKatanga region

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Climate

DRC is dived one third to two thirds by the equator. The weather there is tropical because of the amount of lakes and the river system. The DRC has the second largest rainforest next to the Amazon.

What was their journey?

Most of the refugees of the DRC have fled from the eastern area of the country and the camps are just on the across the border in Rwanda, Uganda, Burma and Tanzania. The fighting originated in the eastern part of the country so many of them probably [KB2]traveled west to find more hospitable areas. When the fighting extended to the western part of the country they simply left[KB3]. Much of the conflict is due to ethnicity so they felt they had to leave their country in order to survive. The United Nations and other aide agencies have been battling to not only give aid to the Congolese people but they work to assist them in safely crossing the borders into the refugee camps. Because the fighting has been going on for so long [KB4]many of the refugees could have been living in the camps for their entire lives, or most of them.

Life in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Most Congolese live in the rural sections of the country, only about 30 percent live in urban areas. The few urban areas are where you would find the most influence by western culture. In the cities people enjoy dancing and socializing. The Congolese have created their own type of music that blends jazz, Jamaican ramba, and other cultural influences. Football is the most common sport in the Congo. Many of the small villages are still operating in the same way as they had many years ago.[KB5]

At meals people will use silver ware in the urban areas but usually eat with their hands in the small villages, but only with their right hand. Sometimes the men and women eat separately, and the oldest male will serve the meat other members of the family. The meals are usually composed of fufu, a mixture of water and flour. They eat a lot of peanuts, tomatoes, fruits and vegetables.

There are many different ethnicities in the DRC and there is over two hundred different languages spoken. There is four national languages: Kikongo, Lingala, Tshiluba, and Swahili. The official language of the country is French, which is seen as a neutral language and eases communication between the different groups.

The religions in the DRC are as different as its people. The majority of the population is Christian. Eighty percent of the population is Christian, and religion is broken down into Roman Catholics, Protestant, and Kimbanguist. Ten percent of the Congolese are Muslim. The remaining population practice traditional religions that include monotheism, animism, vitalism, spirit and ancestor worship, witchcraft and sorcery and even this small percentage varies widely depending on the area of the country.

Conflict

The conflict has been going on for much of the last 20 years.The tensions from the Rwanda genocide spilled the borders in 1996 when some Rwandan Hutu armies fled Rwanda and allied with the Zairian forces to continue the ethnic cleansing of the Tutsi tribes in eastern Zaire, nowthe Democratic Republic of Congo. The Second Congo War began in 1998. The self proclaiming president, Kibila, named the country The Democratic Republic of Congo. He was attacked by the “Mouvement pour la liberation du Congo” (the movement for the liberation of Congo), whose troops were backed by Rwanda and Ugandan troops. Then troops from Angola, Zimbabwe, and Nambia joined in the battle on the government side. Kabila was assassinated in 2001, but was succeeded by his son who fashioned a peace treaty in 2001. By January the violence returned in the northeastern part of the country because of ethnic clashes. Another peace treaty was reached in which Joseph Kabila would share power with the rebels. By June of 2003 all armies had withdrawn except Rwanda but the fighting never subsided.The conflict was centered on controlling the rich natural resources of the country. [KB6]

A constitution was voted on and the country held its second multi-party election on July 30th, 2006. The results upset many with showing Kabila still the rightful president. His opposition Bemba, the leader of the movement, was upset and another vote was held on October 29, 2006. The results were the same and Kabila was sworn in as president.

The country has never become one solidified nation; with the weakness it has allowed human rights violations. With the constant fighting of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda constantly threatens the border. Rwanda’s support of the RCD (rebels fighting against the capital of Kinshasa) assisted in the rebel offensive in October of 2008 causing the refugee crisis. This war is the deadliest since WWII and has killed an estimated 5 million people.

War Conflict Facts

  • Around 45,000 people are dying a month in Congo in 2009
  • 2.7 million have died since 2004
  • Reports have found half of the people who are killed are children under the age of 5
  • The main cause of death is disease and famine

[KB7]Life In Refugee Camps

Life in the refugee camps surrounding Congo is hostile and uncomfortable. The lack of food creates stampedes when the aid trucks arrive. The most horrific thing about the refugee camps is that they are being attacked just as brutally as the cities from which these people flee. More than one million people have been displaced and five million have died since the second war began in 1998. The refugee camps are being “forcibly emptied and looted before being burned”, according to the BBC news. The refugees must flee to survive and some end up living in the surrounding forests because they feel they are safer than the camps.

WhyBoise?

Boise has become a popular relocation destination for refugees due to its size and access to refugee resources. Boise is small enough that refugees can walk or ride bikes to get around town and it has a public transportation system. Also, Boise’s size doesn’t overwhelm refugees as a larger city might.

Boise has a strong network of non-profit agencies set up to accommodate refugees. These agencies provide refugees with English language tutoring, job placement assistance, and health and social services. On the other hand, Boise has its challenges. There are few speakers of refugees’ native languages. Refugees’ low English levels typically limit their employment options to the service industry. The time restrictions caused by bus schedules can also be a problem for refugees

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How Can I Help?

As a student volunteer, you will be playing many roles during your interaction with your refugee family. You will serve as their guide in a place where everything is new and different. One of the biggest obstacles for the refugee family will be honing their English language skills and adapting to American culture.

Help Refugees Learn English and American Culture

According the Agency for New Americans (ANA) Volunteer Packet, many refugees arrive in America with little to no English skills. While ANA provides English classes five days per week to their clients, it is recommended that clients meet with tutors in addition to the class time in order to receive as much education in the English language as possible.

It is important to know the specific English goals of the individuals you are helping. For example, is the goal to improve their English skills in order to help them with job applications and interviews, or is the goal to learn American slang and idioms in order to help with social interactions? Even though it is not your responsibility to refugees to speak English fluently, a simple over view of our sentence structure and some basic phrases would help them improve their English skills.

There are many resources devoted to English tutoring, but the resources listed below are specific to English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Another great resource is the ESL teacher who is teaching the refugees English, as the teacher will have many resources to share with you.

  • Real English - Interactive Video Online

This site provides video lessons for interacting with others in English. It covers useful English phrases such as “hello,” “What is your name?” “My name is…” etc.

  • Thinkfinity Literacy Network

This site contains training for teachers and tutors, lesson plans, and interactive activities for English language learners.

  • ABC's for Tutors: 26 Teaching Tips

By Shirley Brod

Technical Assistance for English Language Training Projects 1997-1998

Meet Refugees for Community Activities

According to past volunteers, every activity is a learning opportunity for refugees. A good first step may be sharing a meal in the refugee’s home to get acquainted with the family and help them practice speaking English. Once refugees feel comfortable, outings in town provide first-hand experiences with American culture.

In addition to the activities suggested below, refugees might have specific errands in mind. Volunteers are encouraged to plan activities within walking distance or take public transportation instead of using their own vehicles.

  • Meet refugees at The English Language Center (located at 1607 W. Jefferson Street) for tutoring resources. This is a familiar meeting spot for refugees.
  • Show refugees the resources available close to their homes such as the bus stop, parks, houses of worship, post office, stores and health care clinics.
  • Role play daily-life scenarios such as, boarding a bus, going to a healthclinic and purchasing something.
  • Show them where to shop for food and introduce them to English names for common foods
  • Take them to the bakery on campus at the Culinary Arts Institute.
  • Show refugees specialty shops like thrift, consignment and outlet.
  • Take them to see some of BoiseCity’s intramural sports games and show them how to sign up (
  • Take refugees to ride a Valley Ride bus, teach them how to learn the routes and practice making change (
  • Take them to the movies (non-violent ones).
  • Meet children after school and walk to a park to practice English or play games
  • Take them out for a hamburger, pizza, hot dog or ice cream.
  • Go to the public library together and show them how to get a card, check out books and read the paper.
  • Help them fill out forms such as job applications
  • Invite refugees to cultural events at BSU and around Boise such as the International festival and concerts (

Getting to Know Americans
America is a nation composed of many people with diverse culturalbackgrounds. These groups have created a unique American culture. Thefollowing “tips and suggestions” highlight some aspects of Americanculture for new Americans.

Greeting and Interacting.

Americans shake hands and look each other in the eye when introduced.At later meetings, shaking hands is optional in informal situationsbut common in business.

  • Stand an arm’s length from the other person when talking and make eye contact often.
  • Refrain from kissing others and remember that American men do nothug each other.
  • Respond with “Thank you,” when someone gives you a compliment.

Talking

Americans love to talk about their lives, jobs, careers, and hobbies.They are comfortable talking about the number of children they haveand will often discuss their future children before they have them.In order to avoid misunderstanding, try to speak English in most situations

Subjects to avoid include:money, religion, politics, someone’spersonal appearance (weight, height, skin color), and sex

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Arriving on time

Promptness is important in the U.S.

  • Arrive on time when meeting friends.
  • Arrive early for business appointments so that others do not have to wait.
  • Exception: when attending a group event at someone’s home, arrive15-20 late so that the host can finish getting ready.

Meeting publicly and privately.
It is far more common in America to meet at a restaurant for a meal orat a coffee shop to talk than to meet for these occasions in someone’shome.

  • Expect to pay for yourself at a restaurant, even if someone invites you.
  • Wait for a specific invitation, including a day and time, before visiting others at home.
  • Extend a specific invitation (including day and time) for others to visit your home.
  • When invited to an event at someone’s home, it is completely appropriate to ask your host for a suggestion of what you couldbring/contribute.

Understanding women’s roles

Many women in the U.S. hold full-time or part-time jobs outside of thehome.Others choose to work at home, raising children and managing theaffairs of the household. Women do not always marry, and do not alwayshave children. Refrain from asking women about their marital status as it maycause them to feel uncomfortable.

Mealtime.
Americans rarely eat with their hands or lick their fingers. They useutensils to eat their food and use napkins to wipe their hands andfaces during a meal. Belching is considered inappropriate during ameal.

Smoking
Smokers are a minority in America and cigarette smoke is oftenconsidered offensive to non-smokers. Smoking is permitted only indesignated areas and is often forbidden indoors or within a person’shome.

If in doubt as to whether smoking is permitted, ask specificallyand be prepared to go outdoors or to another area to smoke.

Where Can I Learn More?

For more general information about the country and its people visit the following links:

News stories, additional information, and current events in the Congo go to:

[KB1]Does this relate to the size of a typical US state?

[KB2] Can you research this to be sure?

[KB3]I doubt this was “simple”… this word choice sounds too informal.

[KB4]How ,long?

[KB5]Can you describe this?

[KB6]This is important.

[KB7]Good info; I like the bullets.