Congo’s National Museum of Gungu destroyed in massive fire

Saturday, November 6, 2021

The National Museum of Gungu suffered a massive fire turning thousands of historic artefacts into ashes. The objects at the museum represent one of the most important collections of Democratic Republic of Congo

At least 8,000 or 9,000 items dating back to the end of the 18th century were ruined after the private museum caught fire and burnt down in the Congolese town of Gungu. However, no exact cause behind the fire has been made available.

As per Congolese media, a museum guard noticed the building was burning at around 23:00 on Thursday night. Franck Gatola Mungiela called on the Ministry of Art and Culture as well as the Interior and Security Ministry to investigate the cause of the fire in Gungu, some 650km (400 miles) south-east of the capital, in Kwilu province.

Joachim Kusamba, the President of the Civil Society of Gungu also said the museum was the “pride” of the area as tourist from Europe and all over the world arrives to visit the museum,” Joachim Kusamba told the station. The majority of the works of art in the museum was from the cultural tradition of the Pende people and was a key part of the annual Gungu festival.

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