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🇨🇩 DR Congo /Culture & Society

Matadi artisans warn of declining art sales amid local mistrust

From Radio Okapi · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Artisans at the Gondola market in Matadi, Democratic Republic of Congo, report a significant decline in art sales due to low local interest.
  • They attribute the lack of sales partly to local religious beliefs that associate wooden sculptures with fetishism, causing fear and mistrust.
  • Artisans express concern that the market, active since 1978 and a primary income source for many, may disappear if the situation does not improve.

Artisans at the Gondola market in Matadi, located in the Kongo-Central province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, are sounding the alarm over a sharp decrease in sales of their artwork. The market, also known as "Wenze ya Bikeko" (market of artworks), features sculptures, decorative items, paintings, and various creations inspired by African culture. However, a lack of interest from the local population is severely threatening their livelihood.

Honestly, I have never bought a piece of art for my home. Sometimes they make scary masks. Today, we understand certain things in spirituality, so I prefer not to buy.

— Evelyne TsimbaExplaining her reluctance to purchase art from the Gondola market.

Artisans report that local residents often exhibit mistrust towards the artworks, particularly wooden sculptures. This hesitation is reportedly linked to certain religious beliefs that associate these carvings with fetishism, leading people to fear and avoid purchasing them. Evelyne Tsimba, a local shopper, explained her reluctance: "Honestly, I have never bought a piece of art for my home. Sometimes they make scary masks. Today, we understand certain things in spirituality, so I prefer not to buy."

Our compatriots in Matadi are not art lovers. It is Westerners who often buy.

— Mavinga MbaduDescribing the lack of local interest in art.

Facing these perceptions, the artists are increasingly worried. Mavinga Mbadu, who has been selling wooden sculptures at the market since 1978, laments the local disinterest. "Our compatriots in Matadi are not art lovers. It is Westerners who often buy," he stated, questioning the local fear: "Are they sorcerers? Do they have paranormal experiences because of these artworks?"

Are they sorcerers? Do they have paranormal experiences because of these artworks?

— Mavinga MbaduQuestioning the local fears surrounding art pieces.

Mbadu also pointed to certain churches as contributing to the population's suspicion, claiming they propagate beliefs about witchcraft associated with the figurines, which he denies. He emphasized that the prices are affordable, with items available for as little as $5 or $10. Without a change in local attitudes, Mavinga Mbadu warns that this historic market, established in 1978, risks closure, jeopardizing the primary income for numerous artisans.

They make believe that there is witchcraft in these figurines. This is not the case at all.

— Mavinga MbaduRefuting claims of witchcraft associated with the art.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Radio Okapi in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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