Congo War

In my Bradford post I mentioned the very wonderful 'Congo War', 60's ska by Lord Brynner and the Sheiks. In those innocent days it was still permissible to smile at strange African names, and even (wryly) at slavery.

The actual conflict wasn't at all funny. Congo Mercenary by Mike Hoare will give you a flavour of the fighting, which as often as not consisted of massacres by one side or the other. The thing is, you can go back there now and it hasn't changed a bit.


It is sad but it exciting
When I read the newspaper
About what's happening
In the western province of Africa
Everybody fighting
To get their fortune and fame
But it is amusing
When I read all the bosses' names

Such as Kasavubu
And Antoine Gizenga
Fighting to gain power
Over Katenga
Colonel Mambutu
And Justin Bomboko
Rivalling Kosambo
To be boss over the Congo

My father made me to know
That my great great grandfather
Came from the Congo
In the Western province of Katenga
But I can't remember his name
Beacause it was so long
And if I call the name
I might happen to bite me tongue

All this Kasavubu
And Patrice Lumumba
Fighting to gain power
Over Katenga
Colonel Mambutu
And Justin Bamboko
Rivalling Kosambo
To be boss over the Congo

You can buy it here. There's even a sample.