A while back, I was in M’Banza Kongo photographing some of the life that currently exists in the former capital of the Congo kingdom. It’s incredible to think that before the arrival of Europeans, an area of four times the size of France was governed from the top of this hill. Just imagine the politics, culture, economy and society that existed in this part of the continent, and that spread and influenced other continents around the world, in spite of the indisputably sad reason that originated the diaspora in the first place. I was lucky enough to be working with some of the leading historians of the history and culture of the Congo kingdom. M’Banza Kongo is very much alive today, and here are some photos that show a little part of its modern day life.