Intro
Visual representations surrounding Lumumba consist of a high level of factors and historical perspective and the way in which this history looked upon, used and the function history takes in the becoming of Lumumba as a hero[i], as a symbol, for pan-Africanism and more[ii], and as a still existing entity.[iii] For an interpretation of these elements there are three important themes. Lumumba as a political actor, and the function of photography (Lumumba the Political-Actor). Furthermore, Lumumba exists as an important element in Congolese painting, for his great historic importance, and the message those paintings convey ( Lumumba in painting: active memory). Lastly, Lumumba also takes a central place in the movement of Pan-Africanism and therefore also popular art (Lumumba as a symbol for Pan-Africanism and Lumumba and art
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Lumumba as a symbol for Pan-Africanism
Reflection
[i] Roberts, N., Roberts, M., Roberts, A. (1999). Anticipation and Longing: Congolese Culture Heroes Past, Present and Future’, in Bogumil Jewsiewicki et al. (eds) A Congo Chronicle: Patrice Lumumba in Urban Art. New York. 93-107.
[ii] Muiu, Mueni Wa, Fundi Wa Afrika: Toward a New Paradigm of the African State CODESRIA (retrieved on 21-11-2018).
[iii] Fabian, J. (1996). Remembering the present: painting and popular history in Zaire. Berkeley.