What does KANFUELA mean? A common question I often get for obvious reasons.

Contrary to popular belief, Kanfuela isn't my last name! Yes, I am frequently called Deborah Kanfuela. It makes me laugh. 

KANFUELA means COFFEE in Tshiluba, a bantu language spoken in the Democratic Republic of Congo! 

I chose the name KANFUELA because I felt a connection to it and wanted to keep the word "alive," as many people (even from Congo) do not even know it.

Years ago, I was having early morning coffee with my dad and my aunt (his oldest sister), while in Congo. Happy to learn that I also drank coffee like everyone in the family, my aunt asked Dad in Tshiluba: "Ohh, she also loves "Kanfuela!?"

Because apparently, in my family, it's common for children (as young as the age of two)  to pair up their bread with coffee for breakfast—not milk!

Anyway, so there it was. KANFUELA. It was my first time hearing it, but I knew it was "THE ONE." At that moment, it clicked. And I obsessed over that word for weeks to come. It did not exist on the internet except for one website. I knew it would be special. Unique.

I believe that selecting a business name should be a beautiful experience. It should be meaningful. If you're having a hard time choosing one, think about things that connect you to your why--things that connect you to the reason you are starting your business to begin with. 

Backstory:

My grandparents owned farms along the Lubilanji River (now known as Sankuru River) in the town of Kamweka, of the Katanga province in southern (DRC) Democratic Republic of Congo. They cultivated many crops, including coffee. During the ethnic conflict (1960s), most of the family fled and migrated to Mwene Ditu, a town close to Mbuji Mayi, the capital of the Kasai-Oriental province in (DRC). Hence, where their tie to the Baluba culture came in.

I come from a lineage of serious coffee drinkers, farmers, and visionaries, a part of my history I would only learn in 2021 that would bring everything full circle. You can read more here.