In its hundred-year history, Mia has hosted a number of royals. Early on, they hailed from Europe: the queen of Romania, in 1926, and the crown prince of Sweden that same year. More recently, however, the monarchs have come from Africa.
The King showing his regalia, which includes a horn attached to cow hide, worn around the chest.
On November 30, the King of Kings for the entire Congo Basin paid a visit to Mia’s African art galleries. His Majesty Mwami Desire Kabare Rugemaninzi II is the 29th king of the Shi peoples from the Kivu Province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. He received the honorific title King of Kings two years ago for promoting economic and social development in his region, protecting biodiversity, and encouraging cultural exchanges.
The King was visiting the Twin Cities to meet with the American Refugee Committee (ARC), a major humanitarian aid group based in Minneapolis. He was presented with ARC’s Humanitarian Changemaker Award for his continued support of social initiatives within Eastern Congo. At the museum, he was met by director Kaywin Feldman; Mia docents Shirley Kaiser, Terry Keir, and Vincent DeLusia; and Tobie Miller and curator Jan-Lodewijk Grootaers from the Arts of Africa and the Americas Department.
Offering the King two catalogues of African art exhibitions at Mia: “Spirits Embodied: Art of the Congo” and “Visions from the Forests: The Art of Liberia and Sierra Leone.”
Before touring the galleries, Mwami Rugemaninzi II sketched the history of his region, from its exploration by Europeans in the late 19th century, to Belgian colonization in the 20th century, to the upheavals during the last decade that have plagued the area with violence, hunger, and refugee crises. Having served as a senator in the capital of Kinshasa, he also addressed the delicate power balance between elected politicians and customary chiefs. He showed three traditional items (artworks!) that accompany his royal function: a hat, a flywhisk, and a horn. During the tour, he showed great interest for the diversity of styles and materials of African art on display, and took many pictures of objects and their labels.
Top photo: King Desire Kabare Rugemaninzi II (center) with Mia docents Shirley Kaiser and Vincent DeLusia; Mia’s Duncan and Nivin MacMillan Director and President Kaywin Feldman; African Refugee Committee representatives Abraham Leno and Herman Aho; and Tad Lunden, business manager of Asili, a startup aimed at reducing childhood mortality.