 Manuel is part of Maine's small but growing Kimbangist congregation. Kimbangism is a Christian movement born in the Congo under Belgian colonial rule in the early 1900s. Its leader, Simone Kimbangu, preached black liberation and anti-colonialism, and was jailed by the colonial regime for much of his life. Kimbangu's followers celebrate Christmas in May, on the birthday of his son, who they view as the reincarnation of Jesus. Today's parade has drawn Kimbangists from as far away as Atlanta.