Kinship in Congo

Join us for this insightful Historical Discussion Group on different forms of kinship in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Lineage usually refers to a line of descent traced through a family's maternal or paternal line or both sides. It is characterised by shared ancestry, inheritance, and social ties. It is a foundational element in many cultures, shaping kinship structures, inheritance rights, and social organisation.

Join us as we explore the diverse kinship structures found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We will delve into the evolution of patrilineality, matrilineality, bilineality, unilineality, and other intricate forms of kinship, each with its own historical significance, and examine how power struggles, migrations, shifting landscapes, the metal ages, and the impact of Christianisation, colonial and postcolonial policies have transformed them.

This talk will be held via Zoom. Sources will be sent prior to the discussion.

Looking for more compelling events from Shoe Lane Library? Follow our Eventbrite page to keep updated!