UNESCO adds Congolese rumba to world cultural heritage list

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has officially added Congolese rumba to its world culture heritage list.

Patrick Muyaya, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Communication minister enthusiastically made the announcement on Tuesday highlighting that the event should be marked in both DRC and the republic of Congo, which both lay a claim to inventing the genre of music.

UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay, on her part, congratulated the two nations, stating that the move to induct the rumba into the heritage list had been mooted for a while.

"It is with great pride and emotion. We had been hoping for this nomination for a long time. We have been working for the past few years to make it happen. It is a reference to history, to memory, to dignity. It is impressive to see how this rumba has crossed history and the centuries,” she said.

"The President of the Republic welcomes with joy and pride the addition of Congolese rumba to the list," the office of Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi tweeted.