The Rumble In The Jungle: Oct. 30, 1974 - Muhammad Ali Center (original) (raw)

Check out our Digital Exhibit on the Rumble in the Jungle below!

Immersing in Culture

Ali first visited Africa in 1964, shortly after his victory over Sonny Liston to claim his first heavyweight title. His journey began in Ghana, followed by stops in Nigeria and Egypt. During his travels, Ali declared, “I am an African,” expressing a deep connection to the continent. He was surprised by the diverse beauty and excellence he encountered, vastly different from the misconceptions he was taught to expect.

In 1974, the Rumble in the Jungle and the Zaire ’74 festival were designed to bridge the gap between African and African American cultures, promoting racial and cultural solidarity and celebrating Black pride. Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was then under the dictatorship of President Mobutu Sese Seko, who ruled from 1965 to 1997. Ali spent nearly two months in Kinshasa, acclimating to the tropical climate, training for the fight, and immersing himself in the local culture.

“Flying over the Sahara Desert. African Airlines, with all African stewardesses, all African pilots. Boy, this is the first free feeling I ever had in a long time. Ain’t this something, flying in an airplane with all black pilots, all black crew. This is strange to the American negro. We never dreamed of this. And every time we watch television, they show us Tarzan and the natives and the jungles. They never told us that Africans were more intelligent than we are. They speak English. They speak English, French and African. We can’t even speak English good.”

_–_Muhammad Ali, When We Were Kings

Speaking for Peace

In the late 1970s, Ali spoke out against apartheid and racial injustice, campaigning at the United Nations. He addressed the UN Special Committee against Apartheid, advocating for peace and spirituality. For his work, Ali was later honored as a United Nations Messenger of Peace in 1998.

Ali’s connection to Africa continued in 1980 when he embarked on a goodwill tour on behalf of President Jimmy Carter. He traveled to several African nations, encouraging them to join the U.S. boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. During this trip, Ali met Kenyan President Daniel Arap Moi in Nairobi.