Under the sign of war, or a look at the cultural archetypes of boyhood in Central Africa (the example of the Republic of the Congo)

The basic archetype of boyhood in Kongo is "warrior", which has been predetermined by the historical background, modern political situation and at the same time by the significant disbalance of population with the number of women being notably larger, which intensifies typical manifestations of the archetype in the range of requirements for every individual male. This gender preponderance was caused by permanent local conflicts, the last of which was the war of 1997-1997. Like in any militarized society, among the leading archetypes of boyhood in Kongo we can distinguish "warrior", "hero", "hunter", which is reflected in fairy tales and myths of Central Africa, such as the story of a boy born with weapons in his hands and singing a battle song. Since early childhood the traits of a future man are formed in Kongolese boys: perseverance and endurance, survival skills, independence, reticence and a military role model in mind. The boys normally take part in militarized games with distributed roles (soldier, scout, field engineer), in law enforcement games where they are police officers or gangsters and other team games where they use handmade weapons. In a protracted military conflict, state-commissioned preparation of a "universal soldier" begins in the system of children's military education. Boys at the age of 12 enter General Leclerc School (Brazzaville) after passing through a severe competition with 1000 candidates for each place. There they study until they turn 18 and get a degree in science or arts. At the end of their education they are expected to take a most difficult complex examination for survival in the conditions of military training in the wild. The society encourages the ambition of boys to get a military profession. When in a military school the boys are on full pay and receive a scholarship. The best students receive valuable gifts, including cars and tours to France. An officer in the family means stability in the present and future, protection and a higher social status.

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