 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Info
Regions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Country Guide > Africa > Congo, Republic of | |
|
Social Profile Food & Drink Restaurants provide mostly French cuisine, and the coast has excellent fish, giant oysters and shrimps. The main hotels in Brazzaville have good restaurants serving French cuisine, and there are also restaurants specialising in Italian, Lebanese and Vietnamese dishes. Some restaurants, such as those at Nanga Lake and Grand Hotel in Loubomo, specialise in African dishes such as piri piri chicken (with pepper), Mouamba chicken in palm oil, palm cabbage salad and cassava leaves, saka saka (ground cassava leaves cooked with palm oil and peanut paste) and Maboke (freshwater fish cooked in large marantacee leaves). Pointe-Noire and Loubomo also have restaurants and bars, usually in hotels, with table service. Some bars also have counter service. Nightlife Local groups are popular in the main towns. Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire have several nightclubs. Shopping In Brazzaville, there are shops and colourful markets. An arts and crafts centre at Poto Poto sells, amongst other things, local paintings and carved wooden masks and figures. The two main markets are Moungali and Ouenze. Avenue Foch is crowded with street vendors. Basketwork can be bought at the villages of Makana and M’Pila (3km/2 miles from Brazzaville), with pottery and an open-air market. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1500-1800. Some shops close on Monday afternoon and a few will open on Sunday morning. Special Events For full details of events in 2005, contact the Direction Générale du Hotellerie (see Contact Addresses section). Social Conventions Normal courtesies should be observed when visiting people’s homes. Gifts are acceptable as a token of thanks, especially if invited for a meal. Dress should be casual, and informal wear is acceptable in most places. Mini-skirts and shorts should not be worn in most public places, however. Artistic carving, both traditional and modern dance, as well as folk songs, play an important part in Congolese culture, which is strongly based on tradition. There are large numbers of foreigners resident in Congo, working as technical assistants, businesspeople and traders. Photography: It is forbidden to photograph public buildings. Tipping: Normally 10 per cent in hotels and restaurants. Porters and taxi drivers do not expect tips. |