Kikwit
Encyclopedia
Kikwit is the largest city of Kwilu District
, lying on the Kwilu River in the southwestern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kikwit is also known in the region under the nickname "The Mother". The population is approximately 294,210 (2004). An important commercial
and administrative centre
, it is home to a stadium
and is known for its traditional dances, in particular the Bapende
dancers whose geographic origin centers around the village of Gungu in present-day Kwilu Province
. Bapende dancers often wear traditional costumes comprising colorful masks and attire made from raffia. Kikwit is also home to an airport
and is connected to the capital Kinshasa
by a new road and river transport.
In 1995 the city saw one of the few outbreaks of the deadly Ebola
virus.
Thirty-six months after the promulgation of the new Congolese Constitution, it has become the capital of the new Kwilu province
on 18 February 2009.
Kwilu District
Kwilu District is a district located in the Bandundu province, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo....
, lying on the Kwilu River in the southwestern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kikwit is also known in the region under the nickname "The Mother". The population is approximately 294,210 (2004). An important commercial
Commerce
While business refers to the value-creating activities of an organization for profit, commerce means the whole system of an economy that constitutes an environment for business. The system includes legal, economic, political, social, cultural, and technological systems that are in operation in any...
and administrative centre
Administrative centre
An administrative centre is a term often used in several countries to refer to a county town, or other seat of regional or local government, or the place where the central administration of a commune is located....
, it is home to a stadium
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
and is known for its traditional dances, in particular the Bapende
Bapende
The Pende are an ethnic group found in the south-western Democratic Republic of the Congo, and especially in the Kwilu District. Their population is estimated to be around 250.000....
dancers whose geographic origin centers around the village of Gungu in present-day Kwilu Province
Kwilu Province
Kwilu is one of 25 new provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo specified in the country's 2005 Constitution , under Article 2. These 25 provinces were to have been created from the existing 10 provinces within 36 months , according to Article 226...
. Bapende dancers often wear traditional costumes comprising colorful masks and attire made from raffia. Kikwit is also home to an airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
and is connected to the capital Kinshasa
Kinshasa
Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the Congo River....
by a new road and river transport.
Ebola
Ebola virus disease is the name for the human disease which may be caused by any of the four known ebolaviruses. These four viruses are: Bundibugyo virus , Ebola virus , Sudan virus , and Taï Forest virus...
virus.
Thirty-six months after the promulgation of the new Congolese Constitution, it has become the capital of the new Kwilu province
Kwilu Province
Kwilu is one of 25 new provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo specified in the country's 2005 Constitution , under Article 2. These 25 provinces were to have been created from the existing 10 provinces within 36 months , according to Article 226...
on 18 February 2009.