Authenticité was a political movement in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) in the 1970s led by President Mobutu that attempted to restore pride by restoring African customs and abandoning foreign colonial influences.
Authenticité was characterized as ‘being oneself and not how others would like one to be, thinking by oneself and not by others, and feeling at home in one’s country.’
The Mouvement Populaire de la Révolution (MPR) was created in May 1967, replacing the former regime. MPR was an organized campaign with the goal of encompassing the entire political structure of the country and cultivating a national narrative that would unite citizens. As a training ground for the new regime's leaders and a possible support base, scholars needed to be ideologically and institutionally aligned with MPR's goals and vision.
The most prominent demonstration of Authenticité occurred in October 1971, when the name of the country and most cities and towns were changed to more 'genuine' names. In February 1972, Zairian inhabitants were also forced to exchange their Christian patronyms for 'genuine' ones, despite the fact that there were no obvious recognizable roots in pre-colonial Central African history to substantiate Mobutu's 'authenticity.'
Authenticité and nationalism were channeled through the powerful vehicle of MPR, which made participation essential. "Whether you like it or not, you are MPR," read an official slogan from the 1970s.