That’s both right and wrong. In Vietnam, people say “Wait until the Congo New Year” to mean something that is very difficult or never completed. So, why do the Vietnamese say that? When will the Congo New Year come? Let’s learn more with The Broad Life!
What Country is Congo?
In fact, there are two countries in the world named Congo: the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Republic of the Congo (République du Congo)
- Area: 342,000 km2
- Population: about 5,876,725 (Dec 2022)
The Republic of the Congo is also known as Congo-Brazzaville or simply Congo. The Congo is a sovereign state located in Central Africa, bordered by the five countries of Gabon and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Cameroon to the northwest, and the Central African Republic to the northeast. It is bordered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the east and south, and to the southwest by the Angolan province of Cabinda.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (République Démocratique du Congo)
- Area: 2.345 million km²
- Population: about 96,893,265 (Dec 2022)
The country is commonly abbreviated as DR Congo or DRC. It is a country in Central Africa. The country is also known as Congo-Leopoldville, or Congo-Kinshasa because its Capital is Kinshasa.
This country is the main subject that we want to talk about in this article.
What is the Congo New Year? Do the People Celebrate This Occasion?
Of course, people in these two countries celebrate the new year like any other country in the world.
In Congo Brazzaville, people celebrate New Year widely. Every year, on this day, both adults don’t go to work and the children don’t go to school. Families gather, dance, and sing to say goodbye to the old year. In addition to Tet, they also celebrate other major holidays such as Easter and Noel.
Congo Kinshasa also has a new year according to the calendar like many other countries worldwide. However, people must wait many years to see the fireworks once. Indeed, in Congo Kinshasa, the neighboring country that shares a border with Congo Brazzaville and is part of the Francophone community, people have to wait 50 years to see fireworks to celebrate New Year once.
The Reasons Why It Takes So Long for DR Congo New Year
Despite being a large and populous country in Central Africa, Congo Kinshasa, or DR Congo, is the poorest and most backward country in the African continent. For decades, Congo Kinshasa has always been in the top 10 poorest countries in the world.
The cause comes from more than a century of Belgian rule, political crisis, conflict, and transition. Besides that, unemployment, health care, and education have not been invested in, leading to stagnation in economic development.
How Do DRCongolese People Celebrate the New Year?
However, New Year in this country is really a big festival with a joyful atmosphere. After half a century of waiting, the Congolese citizens eagerly decorate their houses and indulge in long parties for three months.
There are many reasons to explain this one-of-a-kind New Year celebration. Some people think that this is a typical and long-standing culture of Congolese Kinshasa. Others argue that the constant civil war and poverty are barriers forcing people here to patiently “Wait for the Congo New Year”.
Although they do not celebrate New Year yearly, the people of this country still celebrate a number of other important holidays such as National Day (June 30), Father’s Day (August 1), or Youth Day (October 14).
I’m sure that you will want to join at least a holiday celebration there, especially the DR Congo’s New Year. Honestly, joining their next New Year celebration is the activity that’s on top of my bucket list.
‘PIN IT’ NOW TO SAVE YOUR INFO ABOUT CONGO NEW YEAR
