Kikwit

Kikwit is the largest city of Kwilu Province, lying on the Kwilu River in the southwestern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kikwit is also known in the region under the nickname "The Mother". The population is approximately 458,000 (2017). An important commercial centre, it is home to a stadium and is known for its traditional dances, in particular the Bapende dancers whose geographic origin centers on the village of Gungu. Bapende dancers often wear traditional costumes comprising colorful masks and attire made from raffia.

The Munganji dancer is central to Pende dance ceremonies. The full-body suit is woven from raffia thread.

Kikwit
City
Ville de Kikwit
The city hall of Kikwit
Kikwit Location in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Coordinates: 5°02′19″S 18°49′05″E
Country	DR Congo
Province	Kwilu Province
City status	1970
Communes	Kazamba, Lukemi, Lukolela, Nzinda
Government
• Mayor	Abe Ngiama[1]
Area
• Urban	92 km2 (36 sq mi)
Elevation	452 m (1,483 ft)
Population  (2017)[2]
• City	186,991
• Urban	458,000
• Urban density	5,000/km2 (13,000/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (West Africa Time)
Climate	Aw
National language	Kikongo ya leta

History

In 1995 the city saw a serious outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus.^[3]

Singer King Kester Emeneya was born in Kikwit in 1956. In April 2014, a tribute concert held in Kikwit to honor King Kester Emeneya ended in disaster, and at least thirteen people in the stadium died in a stampede following a power failure.^[4]

Transportation

Kikwit is home to Kikwit Airport, operating domestic flights to Kinshasa. Kikwit is also connected to Kinshasa by road and river transport.

Notable people

• King Kester Emeneya (1956–2014), Congolese singer^[4]
• Luc Jouret (1947–1994), Belgian homeopath and cult leader^[5]

See also

• University of Kikwit
• Matthew Lukwiya