Lukah Katangila - Imprisoned Gods

In Imprisoned Gods (MIUNGU GEREZANI), Lukah explores ancestral African beliefs, particularly those of the populations of Alkebulan, the continent's ancient name. These communities, such as the Weusi, possessed a rich spiritual culture and a profound knowledge of nature. The arrival of settlers and Christianity, with its one god, disrupted these beliefs, creating a dichotomy of good and evil and a loss of traditional values. The play is inspired by Kiamwangana Verckys' song Nakomitunaka, which critically examines the religious narratives imposed on African populations. In this performance, African statues and masks, which have been displayed as curiosities in Western museums, are liberated and embodied. Bible verses and crosses coexist with African traditions, while dancers from Goma, each with their unique styles (Rega, Tembo, Shi, Hunde), enrich Lukah's choreography with their traditional forms. Many statues and cult objects have been brought from Congo to Belgium and displayed in museums, which Lukah illustrates by saying, ‘The gods are trapped.’ The performance explores the tensions between these two faith worlds, their meanings and contemporary impact. The costumes, inspired by the minganji in raffia, symbolise the transfer of power, while the masks, made by Precy Numbi, and visual projections related to Christianity depict the conflicts between the different belief systems underline. The percussive music reinforces this duality and highlights the power of African traditions within the framework of colonial heritage. ‘My God, I wonder Where does the black man come from? Jesus, the son of God, is white Adam and Eve are white ... We believe in their white prophets but they refuse to believe in our prophets ...’ (translated from Lingala) Although the dance is based on traditional forms, the aim is not to imitate them, but to use them as a frame of reference that influences Lukah's formal language and choreography. In this context, hip-hop serves as a connection between the dancers. Together, they will explore, shape and experiment with the essence of their personal history, while inviting the audience to enter a world of movement, where perspectives evolve and dogmas blur.

TEAM / CREDITS

A creation by Lukah Katangila Performers Lukah Katangila, Meshake Lusolo, Bienco Hangi, Luand Faraja Batumike Original music Nyati May Dramaturgy Mike van Alfen Scenography & costumes Lukah Katangila, Precy Numbi Produced by Ultima Vez in collaboration with STUK Leuvenn De Singel, Workspace Brussels en het Grand Théâtre van Luxemburg

Lukah is a dancer, choreographer and activist from Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He started traditional Mboka dancing at the age of six and also developed a passion for hip-hop and contemporary dance. As co-founder of the Busara Dance Company, he launched the Ndoto Goma Kids project after the eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano in 2002, aiming to protect children from becoming soldiers in armed groups. For him, dance is a powerful tool for education and collective empowerment. He has worked with cultural centres for street children and former child soldiers. His work denounces abuses of power in Congo and conveys strong political messages. He has collaborated with many artists and performs across Africa and Europe. Currently based in Brussels, he has studied choreography at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (ISAC) and is preparing his next creation, Imprisoned Gods, with Ultima Vez.