Lukah Katangila - Imprisoned Gods

During this residency at STUK, Lukah Katangila will develop his new piece, MIUNGU GEREZANI (Imprisoned Gods), exploring the clash between traditional African beliefs and the impact of Christianity brought by colonizers. The performance brings to life gods once revered in African culture, now locked away as museum curiosities, juxtaposing their symbolism against Christian iconography. Lukah will work with dancers from Goma, each representing traditional styles like Rega, Tembo, Shi, and Hunde, to embody these gods. He will guide them in shaping choreography inspired by African imagery, connecting their personal heritage with broader cultural themes. Collaborating with artists for costumes, masks, and visual elements, Lukah will blend traditional and contemporary music, creating a world where movement, rhythm, and narrative challenge established religious dogmas.

DANCE
Meshake Lusolo is a Congolese dancer who performs on regional and international stages, blending African traditional, Afro, contemporary dance, and hip-hop to connect cultures. He has taught workshops with prominent artists like Wesley Ruzibiza, Alexandra Seutin, and Mathieu Niento. Based in Goma, he promotes cultural events and empowers youth through art for social change in the Great Lakes region.

Bienco Hangi Luanda (b. 1989) is a dancer, choreographer, and cultural entrepreneur. His choreography is expressive and rooted in African and contemporary dance. He has worked with Germaine Acogny, Wesley Ruzibiza, and Mathieu Niento, among others, and toured Europe with Africolor.

Faraja Batumike, winner of the 2020 Best Dancer Award in Congo, has been a key figure in Congolese hip-hop and contemporary dance since 2007. He has performed and taught in over 15 countries and won multiple choreography awards, including for his solo show La Cage (2023), which toured across Europe and DRC.

Lukah Katangila is a dancer and activist from Congo, blending African and Western styles into his choreography. He founded an organization to empower children through dance and has won awards for his solo works addressing political and personal themes.

DESIGN
Precy Numbi, a Congolese visual artist and performer, creates eco-futuristic sculptures and costumes from recycled materials. Known for his "robot sapiens" performances in Kinshasa, he explores themes of overconsumption and decolonization. His work has been showcased in Europe and Africa, including a recent residency in Brussels.

MUSIC/SLAM
Nyati Mayi, a Congolese multi-instrumentalist and singer based in Brussels, blends traditional instruments like the lulanga with modern sounds. He co-founded Nyati Mayi & The Astral Synth Transmitters in 2020, releasing the album Lulanga Tales and performing at venues like the AB.

DRAMATURGY
Mike van Alfen, an Amsterdam-born dramaturg based in Brussels, has worked with numerous theatre companies and artists across Europe. His recent projects include collaborations with Pitcho Womba Konga at KVS and emerging artists in Flanders and the Netherlands.

Lukah Katangila is a dancer and choreographer with a deep commitment to social activism. He founded an organization in the Great Lakes region of Central Africa that provides children a safe space to develop through dance. Growing up in Goma, Congo, Lukah was inspired by traditional ceremonies and his aunt’s dancing, and later by icons like Michael Jackson and Martha Graham. He began dancing professionally in 2013, combining African and Western styles to create a unique signature. Lukah describes African dance as drawing with inspiration from nature and culture, while Western dance is more intellectual, focused on ideas and analysis. His style blends both, resulting in what he calls "writing with images." After facing political repression in Congo, Lukah relocated to Kigali, Rwanda, and later pursued further studies in Brussels at ISAC to refine his approach to dance. His work, such as *Ndoto or My Story* (Roel Verniers Prize), addresses personal and political themes, including power abuse and exploitation in Congo.