The central African Republic is a country that has various ethnic groups, languages, and the general way of doing things is diverse, depending on which ethnic or religious group one is from. It however has some French influences in terms of food, language, and religions.
Religion
The religious make-up of the Central African Republic is 89.5% Christianity, with 60.5% being Protestant, 28.4% Catholic, 0.6% being other Christian groups, 8.5% Islam, 1.0% Traditional beliefs, and 2.0% None believers and those with mixed religion.
Various missionary groups have influenced or shaped religion in Central African Religion including Lutherans, Grace Brethren, Jehovah's Witnesses, Baptists, and Catholics.
Religious leaders have played a key role in previous years in the Central African Republic by mediating between communities and armed groups and also providing refuge for people seeking shelter.
Food and cuisine
Food in the central African Republic revolves around ingredients like rice, cassava, chicken, beef, fish, okra, tomatoes, vegetables, peanuts, sauces, and bananas, to mention but a few.
Dishes reflect the different diverse African traditions, Arab, European, and Asian influences. Most common dishes in the Central African Republic include:
- Fufu- this is a starch dish made from cassava
- Muamba de Galinha- is a dish made out of the chicken with palm oil and okra, pounded plantains, sweet potatoes, served with various sauces.
- Chichinga- this is made of barbecued skewered goat meat.
- Makara- this is bread made from cassava flour
- Egusi- this is a soup or sauce made from pumpkin seeds, added with tomatoes, onion, chili.
- Moambe- is a soup made from palm butter
- Kanda ti nyma- these are spicy beef meatballs.
- Karkanji- is a drink made from hibiscus flowers
Music
Music in the Central African Republic has evolved from traditional music from different ethnic groups to fuse with current trends. It features both African and western influences.
The Banda ethnic group uses an instrument called the Ongo, which is some kind of a trumpet made from wood or antelope horn. They produce music that has a jazzy feel.
Ongos are usually used in traditional ceremonies and rituals. Other instruments include the sanza, ieta or bow harp, ngombi (harp zither), limbindi (a string bow). Music genres include Afrobeat, soukous, pop music, and western-influenced rock music.
Art.
The central African Republic is the home of handmade crafts, from woven baskets, and mats, wooden utensils, pottery, handmade musical instruments. They are also good sculptors who create unique animal sculptures and are also good at painting. Modern painting includes watercolor painting and oil painting on canvas.
Sport
Basketball is one of the country's most popular sport in CAR. The national basketball team has won the African Championship twice and was the first Sub-Saharan African team to qualify for the 1974 World Basketball Cup.
Another popular sport is Football, it is played at all levels up to the international level. The national soccer team is a member of the Confederation of African Football. The team has participated in Africa Cup o Nations qualifiers and other regional competitions.
Another sport to note is athletics and names like Boris Sanjo, Foxi Kethevoama, Mireille Derebona- Ngaisset, and Aymad Bosse Berange have made a mark in track and field events.
" Its a place to be" - Martin from Canada
