The Kongo Cross Across Centuries

Rock art in central Africa, particularly within the Lovo Massif of Mbanza Kongo, reveals that the 'Kongo cross' is an ancient symbol predating European influence and deeply intertwined with the rituals and cosmology of the former Kingdom of Kongo. Radiocarbon dating of charcoal drawings confirms their age from cal AD 1270 to 1800, linking them to pre-Christian Kongo practices such as the kimpasi initiation ceremony. The study integrates rock art with historical records, demonstrating its role in both traditional and Christian religious contexts, including funerary rituals and symbolic power structures.

Heimlich, G. (2016). The Kongo Cross Across Centuries. African Arts, 49(3), 22–31. https://doi.org/10.1162/afar_a_00297