The pursuit of pleasurable women in the war-ridden city of Butembo, eastern DR Congo

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn this article, I map out spaces of social encounters and elaborate upon the once openly exposed but now hidden nightlife of Butembo, in eastern Congo. I explore what moves the people of Butembo, where they go to have fun, and what ‘fun’ means in a war-torn place. The main focus lies on the city's countlesscabarets, as these seemed the places where people mostly met. Acabaretis a private dwelling where a single woman offers home-brewed alcohol and sexual services alike. Usually, acabaretbears no signage at all, so from the outside, it is hard to discern from an ordinary house. Yet, their sheer invisibility stands in sharp contrast to their major importance. As I proceed through the article, it becomes clear that these obscurecabaretsare spaces of sociability with an undeniable importance that contribute to the functioning of the city in many respects.