Congolese Customs

Drinking beverages with ancestors 

Many individuals are still extremely familiar with this rite, despite the fact that most people no longer regularly perform it. Giving your forefathers a drink out of respect is customary. For instance, at a typical Congolese wedding, the groom's father or grandpa pours "cham-cham," the local beer, on the floor. In order for the ancestors to join the family in celebrating, the drink is shared with them in this manner. Also, it is thought that by doing this, you are demonstrating your ancestors' respect, and as a result, they will keep a close eye on you when you pass through the grave.

Moziki 

Moziki, also known as mutuelle in French, is a term used to describe a group of individuals coming together to assist one another. Moziki groups typically decide on a set sum of money that each participant can donate over the course of the month. When a group member has an approaching occasion, such as a birthday, wedding, death, or the birth of a child, the money is saved and presented to them. 

The members of the Moziki organization want to aid one another when they're in need of money. For instance, once a member is buried, the Moziki group gathers to drink, dance, and celebrate in a nearby shebeen. For most people, this may be a very out of the ordinary way to mourn, yet it is not exceptional in any way.

Baby teeth of a toddler being thrown on the roof 

A youngster loses their milk teeth, or deciduous teeth, as they get older so that their permanent teeth can erupt. Nobody is surprised by this, and in the majority of nations, the tooth is placed under a pillow for the tooth fairy to pick up at night. When a baby tooth is lost in Congo, the parents take it and throw it on the roof. It is thought that this tradition is followed to allow the child's teeth to grow back normally.

shaving the head of a widow 

If a woman's husband has passed away, she must completely shave her head. The majority of Congo's tribes follow this tradition. Because it is thought that the husband's spirit might linger in the wife's hair after he passes away, the widow's hair is typically shaved off by her late husband's relatives. She might get sick, die, or have terrible luck if she doesn't shave her hair. Also, it is disrespectful to the widow's in-laws if she does not shave her hair. The majority of tribes, but not all, follow this tradition. In some tribes, a widow is permitted to keep her hair, but she is not permitted to style it with dye or hair extensions.This is not permitted because she must honor her late husband's family and demonstrate to others that she is grieving. This procedure may take up to six months, or perhaps a year, in some tribes.

Shakes of the head rather than hand 

Although they are still fairly widespread, handshakes are less common in Congo. The way two men greet one other when they first meet in the Congo is by just resting their heads side by side. Men from a particular ethnic group are the only ones who use this greeting style. Women are not permitted to greet in this manner.