Jean Depara, 1928–1997

Jean Depara was born in Angola and came to photography almost by accident. In 1950, wanting to document his own wedding, he bought a small Adox camera — and from that moment on, he never stopped seeking new subjects for his lens.

Settling in Kinshasa in 1951, Depara initially combined photography with various small jobs: repairing bicycles and cameras, and dealing in scrap metal. His career changed dramatically in 1954 when the celebrated Congolese musician Franco invited him to become his official photographer. Depara soon became the visual chronicler of Kinshasa’s vibrant social life during the golden age of Rumba and Cha-Cha.

Later, Depara opened his own studio under the name “Jean ‘Whisky’ Depara.” By day he photographed in bars such as the Kwist, the OK Bar, and Sarma Congo; by night he moved through legendary clubs like Afro Mogenbo, Champs-Élysées, Djambo Djambu, Oui, Fifi, and Show Boat. He was fascinated by “night owls,” and with his flash he captured an Africa stripped of conventional social codes. Interracial couples, hipsters, and young rebels inspired by James Dean — those who chose to “live fast, die young” — became both his subjects and his clients.

Among Depara’s recurring themes were the *Miziki*, powerful women’s associations rooted in pre-independence traditions. A *Moziki* (singular) could act as a banker within her social circle. In the 1950s and 1960s, Miziki groups adopted names such as “La Pause” and “La Mode,” and even commissioned famous bands to compose songs for their annual celebrations.

source: CAAC