Religion of the Kongo Before the Kongo's contact with the Portuguese, the Kongolese believed in gods of earth, water, and sky, with their accompanying cults, symbols, powers, and priestly castes. To them, each God played their own part in the lives of their ethnic group. Some gods governed the fertility of the land while others were said to govern the success of war or the obtainment of riches and importan positions. For the Kongo, the most peculiar objects had meaning for them. For example, a disfigured stone could be a sign of prosperity for the Kongolese or it could mean many hardships to come. In addition they believed that whirlwinds incarnated the spirits of noble ancestors,grubs caused rain and that albinos, dwarves, and twins could cure infertility, kill thieves, or prevent elephants from destroying the house. To the Kongolese if something bad happened there had to be a mystical explanation for it. For example they blamed sickness and disease on the invariable outcome of witchcraft. However, after meeting the Europeans many of these beliefs were no longer practiced.Fifteenth-century Christians brought with them a religion that had grown aggressively through the landscape of the Kongo. Along with Christianity came new signs and symbols of only one God, that controlled the fates of everything that existed.
Religious artifacts from the Kongo region, (From left to right: early 17th century, 16th century, 18th century, and 18th century pieces).
Before the Kongo's contact with the Portuguese, the Kongolese believed in gods of earth, water, and sky, with their accompanying cults, symbols, powers, and priestly castes. To them, each God played their own part in the lives of their ethnic group. Some gods governed the fertility of the land while others were said to govern the success of war or the obtainment of riches and importan positions. For the Kongo, the most peculiar objects had meaning for them. For example, a disfigured stone could be a sign of prosperity for the Kongolese or it could mean many hardships to come. In addition they believed that whirlwinds incarnated the spirits of noble ancestors,grubs caused rain and that albinos, dwarves, and twins could cure infertility, kill thieves, or prevent elephants from destroying the house. To the Kongolese if something bad happened there had to be a mystical explanation for it. For example they blamed sickness and disease on the invariable outcome of witchcraft. However, after meeting the Europeans many of these beliefs were no longer practiced.Fifteenth-century Christians brought with them a religion that had grown aggressively through the landscape of the Kongo. Along with Christianity came new signs and symbols of only one God, that controlled the fates of everything that existed.