Kinshasa, October 30th, 2025 (CPA).– The release of the scientific and musical work ‘The Guitar in Congolese Rumba – Volume I’, which traces the history and context of music in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was officially announced by its author, Congolese guitarist Pytshens Kambilo, nicknamed ‘the alchemist’, in a statement received by the CPA on Thursday. ‘After five years of work devoted to analyzing our music, writing and meeting with the great names of Congolese culture, I am delighted to announce the publication of this book,’ said the press release signed by Pytshens Kambilo.
The source said that this first volume traces the history and context of Congolese rumba, considered an intangible heritage of humanity, through the prism of the guitar, the central instrument of this music. The book also includes unpublished archive photos, biographies of the great Congolese guitarists, and complete scores in musical notation and tablature. The author presented the book as both a scientific and educational endeavor, intended as a reference for researchers, musicians and enthusiasts of Congolese rumba. ‘Rumba becomes a serious subject of study here. It is both a musical adventure and an exercise in memory,’ said the author, praising the inestimable richness of Congolese musical heritage.