Jauste Boussou launches ‘Mwènè’ at Congolese embassy in Paris

Congolese author and engineer Jauste Boussou has launched his new book, ‘Mwènè’, at the Republic of the Congo’s embassy in Paris. The event served as a platform for discussing the preservation of Congolese cultural identity through the transition from oral tradition to written text.

Boussou argues that ancestral teachings, tales, and narratives are essential to cultural identity but remain fragile when transmitted solely through speech. By transcribing these elements, he aims to ensure that the collective memory of the people is preserved for future generations.

The title ‘Mwènè’ refers to a sovereign and honorific distinction that Boussou describes as a guardian of a specific philosophy of power and a social contract based on wisdom and community protection. He frames the work as an act of cultural resistance, seeking to reclaim the narrative of Congolese history and restore the standing of traditional institutions that have been eroded by external influences.