Rumba Rules

Discover the intricate relationship between music and politics in Bob W. White's enlightening book, Rumba Rules. Published by Duke University Press in 2008, this compelling paperback spans 277 pages and delves into the cultural landscape of Zaire under Mobutu Sese Seko's regime, which lasted from 1965 to 1997. White explores how Mobutu's famous saying, "happy are those who sing and dance," reflected his government's promotion of culture as a vital national resource. Through an engaging analysis of political leadership and social mobility, Rumba Rules examines what it meant to be a bon chef (good leader) during a transformative period in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of popular music and political dynamics in 20th-century Africa.