00:04Here in Kinshasa, this band is keeping alive the traditions of Congolese rumba,
00:09a genre of music that experts believe dates back to the time before European colonialism.
00:16The music is more than just a soundtrack to a night out.
00:19Five years ago, rumba was added to UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list.
00:24In spite of the move, some fear for the future of the genre,
00:27due to its relative neglect among younger communities.
00:32The deputy director of the Rumba Museum hopes it will work to preserve artists' work for the generations to come.
00:48So this bank, which is the National Rumba Museum, exists to show that artists,
00:53even centuries from now when they're no longer alive,
00:55can continue to preserve the objects used as a record,
00:58that will allow us to tell future generations about the history of these artists,
01:02about the impact they had demonstrated during artistic careers or during their performances.
01:18According to a music teacher here at the National Institute of Arts,
01:23Congolese rumba has been influenced by a range of different styles.
01:35Congolese rumba has been influenced by many different styles.
01:39So when we talk about Grand Calais and Franco, you can tell that it's really dance music.
01:46But today, when we talk about Fali and Fer, you can tell that this music has been influenced by outside
01:54influences.
02:02In order to preserve the tradition, the museum hopes to draw visitors through guided tours, conferences and concerts.
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