Congo Delicacies Through the Lens of Robert Nzaou Kissolo
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Loading... - Kisi Adomako
- 30 Dec 2024
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Discovering the Republic of Congo through the lens of photography is the mission of Robert Nzaou-Kissolo, a talented Congolese photographer renowned for capturing daily life in Pointe Noire, the country’s second-largest city. Recently, he showcased his work in an exhibition that highlighted his new photo series titled Madia ya bwala, which translates to "our local food" or "local meals" in the Kituba language.
The exhibition drew attention from various attendees, who praised Robert's unique vision and creativity. Delpra Dabash, a manager in Pointe Noire, remarked, “It’s unbelievable. I couldn’t put myself in his shoes because he has a very special imagination.” Lawyer Malonga added, “It is a very good illustration of our culture. What he does is very interesting because he highlights our different cultures and our different products.”
Robert's latest series aims to celebrate traditional Congolese foods such as fumbu, ngasi, and tete—dishes that are often overlooked in upscale dining establishments. He explained, “Madia ya bwala, the Congolese know what this means. It’s the food from home, it’s the food we love a lot. But it is also the food that we don’t want to see in our luxury restaurants or in luxury hotels. So there is a contradiction. The idea that came to me was to value our food. To put it forward.”
The photographer emphasized the challenge of presenting these beloved dishes in a way that resonates with viewers. “We could have taken food, fruit, and put them on a table and taken a picture. But this is different. It’s food you love, and when you’re in town, you don’t want to see it,” he said.
Valloni, a renowned photographer in the country, praised Robert's thoughtful approach: “It’s very good. He thought it through. Mixing, taking pictures with vegetables and people. It’s really a research project. I say bravo.” Sylvie Mavoungou Bayonne, the exhibition organizer, expressed her desire for Robert to step out of his comfort zone and present Congolese food in an original way that is not widely known outside the country.
Robert believes that the bustling scenes of daily life in the streets provide rich photographic subjects. He finds inspiration in the unpredictability of these environments, stating, “Not being in control of the situation inspires me to be thrilled with this type of photography.”
Before embracing photography, Robert had a passion for music, becoming a rapper, beat-maker, and hip-hop blogger. It was through his blog that he discovered the power of images, realizing that words alone could not fully convey a message without accompanying visuals. “Being a photographer is not easy. But you have to make a choice. I fell in love with this desire to tell, to show, this desire to make people laugh, this desire to create emotions. The picture helps me a lot with that,” he shared.
With a flourishing career ahead, Robert hopes to share his knowledge with aspiring photographers in the DRC. He calls on authorities to support artists like himself by facilitating more exhibitions across the country, which could help mentor others and encourage them to pursue similar creative paths. Through his work, Robert Nzaou-Kissolo continues to shine a light on the rich cultural tapestry of the Republic of Congo, celebrating its culinary heritage and the stories behind it.
