A new Congolese mysticism is developing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. From Brazzaville to Kinshasa, believers have come to the far village of Mbanza Zambi in the country’s southern province, to share their faith in “Ngondisme”, a revolutionary blend of Christianity and “negritude”. When in 1982 Tata Ngonda had a celestial vision and was ordained with a nation-saving mission, the ECUSE (Christian Church of the Union of the Spirit Saint) was born. Ngonda retreated to this village, now the location of an annual pilgrimage attracting hundreds to this town despite their spiritual leader’s death in 2001. Every first weekend of October is the occasion to visit Ngonda’s tomb and to worship every three hours for three days while laboring the earth.
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