Lesley Nicole Braun
Cultural anthropologist and author of Congo's Dancers: Women and Work in Kinshasa (University of Wisconsin Press, 2023), known for ethnographic research on dance, gender, and urban life in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Best podcasts with Lesley Nicole Braun
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Jan 5, 2026 • 47min
Lesley Nicole Braun, "Congo's Dancers: Women and Work in Kinshasa" (U Wisconsin Press, 2023)
Lesley Nicole Braun, a cultural anthropologist and author, dives into the world of Congolese dance in her latest work. She discusses how danseuses have shifted the landscape of visibility and morality in Kinshasa, highlighting their roles as economic and cultural agents. Braun traces the historical politics around dance, from colonial stigma to contemporary challenges women face in public spaces. The conversation also explores the intersection of dance, power dynamics, and social networks, positioning women’s visibility as both a source of opportunity and societal scrutiny.
Oct 29, 2023 • 47min
Lesley Nicole Braun, "Congo's Dancers: Women and Work in Kinshasa" (U Wisconsin Press, 2023)
Lesley Nicole Braun, author of a book on Congo's dancers, explores the politics of control and the interlinking of visibility, virtue, and socio-economic opportunity in Kinshasa. She discusses the challenges faced by women navigating the public sphere and the gendered differences in local patronage politics. The podcast also covers the fusion of African and Cuban influences in Congolese rumba music, the significance of music and dance in women's lives in Kinshasa, the power of dance in anthropology, and the cultural significance of Mami Watah, a spiritual figure in Kinshasa.
