Chronicles the history of the Congo, from early European exploration to its century as a colony and its succession of dictators after gaining independence in 1960.
Assani leaves his work as a cowherd in a remote eastern village to attend school in the city, and soon finds himself drafted into the Congolese army, where he faces violence, corruption, and his own guilt as he is forced to take sides in the bloody conflict that follows the genocide in Rwanda.
Marlow comes face to face with the corruption and despair that lies at the heart of human existence when he undertakes a journey on behalf of a Belgian trading company up the Congo River in search of the tormented white ivory trader, Kurtz.
Young Luzolo tries very hard to sit still while her father preaches at the village Matondo, a celebration of thanksgiving, but when a puppy, chickens, pigs, goats, and a monkey show up, it is very difficult.
Traces the history of Congo, tracing its development through the Belgian period of colonization and the dictatorships of Mobutu and Kabila, including biographical portraits of key figures in the country's history.
