Matonge in Color, the big Clearance Sale & Flea Market of North Ixelles is back.
What is Matonge?
Matonge is above all a vibrant and multicultural neighborhood located in the commune of Ixelles, in the Brussels region #portedenamur. It is known for being the African heart of Brussels.
It is also the historical center of the African diaspora, particularly for communities from the Democratic Republic of Congo, but also from other countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
The name “Matonge” comes from a lively shopping district in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The history of Brussels’ Matonge dates back to the 1960s, after the independence of Congo. It was during this time that Brussels, and more specifically the commune of Ixelles, began to see the arrival of many Congolese students who came to study in Belgian universities.
Matonge, which was already a commercial district, started to transform with the opening of shops, hair salons, and African restaurants. The neighborhood gradually developed a strong identity tied to African culture, with a notable presence of the Congolese community.
Growth of the African community
In the 1970s and 1980s, the African community in Matonge grew with the arrival of Congolese as well as other nationals from Rwanda and Burundi. This cultural mix enriched the neighborhood and made Matonge a unique place in Brussels, both for its shops and its community associations.
Today, Matonge has become an iconic place for Afro-descendants in Brussels, but also a neighborhood where both locals and tourists come to discover African culture through cuisine, music, and crafts.