Among the "Lega" people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is customary to stretch a rope in the "Common House", in the center of the village, to educate young people (but, not only!). Objects from the plant and animal world, objects of everyday life and various tools are hung on the liana fiber rope. Each item is associated with proverbs to help young people identify principles of wisdom. La corda is a code book, they are "the words of the earth", for learning and teaching, for thinking and reasoning, for communicating and expressing common ideas.

The "Rope of wisdom" (or “Mutanga"), therefore has the function of instructing - especially the youth - through natural objects and proverbs connected to them. In fact, the Lega population prefers immaterial culture and the oral transmission of proverbs, knowledge and good practices.

In this game that we propose, we will see some of the objects used and the proverbs associated with them. We invite you to think about their meaning... And then, on the back, you will find our interpretation.

• We keep the original exhibition "Corda della Saggezza - Lega, RD Congo" at our Chinese Art and Ethnographic Museum (Xaverian Missionaries, Parma - Italy). We look forward to seeing you soon to discover it… for real!