Almost all Congolese are Bantu, a name that refers to the people living in Central, Eastern and Southern Africa. The Bantu originated from Nigeria and Cameroon and migrated to Southern Africa 2,000 years ago. In present day Congo, non-Bantu tribes account for only 3% of the population.

Holidays celebrated in Congo include Commemoration of the Martyrs of Independence, observed on January 4; Labour Day and National Liberation Day, celebrated on May 1 and May 17, respectively; Independence Day, celebrated on June 30; Parents’ Day, celebrated on August 1; Youth Day, observed on October 14; Army Day and …

Kongo, also called Bakongo, group of Bantu-speaking peoples related through language and culture and dwelling along the Atlantic coast of Africa from Pointe-Noire, Congo (Brazzaville), in the north, to Luanda, Angola, in the south. Their language is part of the Benue-Congo branch of the Niger-Congo languages.

ETHNIC GROUPS: There are more than 200 ethnic groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), most of which are Bantu. The four largest tribes are the Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu- Azande (Hamitic). These four tribes make up 45% of the total population.

Congo is rich in natural resources. It boasts vast deposits of industrial diamonds, cobalt, and copper; one of the largest forest reserves in Africa; and about half of the hydroelectric potential of the continent.

The Congo Dance represents a fusion between the Catholic religion and the African culture. The women dance swaying their hips in an almost erotic manner, using hands and feet to mark the man limits.

More than 250 ethnic groups have been identified and named, of which the majority are Bantu. The four largest groups – Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande collectively make up about 45% of the population. 5,000 people from Belgium and 5,000 people from Greece currently live in DR Congo.

French
Democratic Republic of the Congo/Official languages

The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world, with over 200 languages spoken in the country. While French is the official language and widely used in education and government, there are four national languages: Kikongo (Kituba), Lingala, Swahili, and Tshiluba.

Interesting Facts about Republic of Congo

• The Congo River is the deepest river (220 m) in the world.
• Congo is the only place where you can find the Bonobo.
• The Congo basin rainforest is the second largest rainforest in the world.
• The Republic of Congo is home to the famous Pygmy Tribe.

Republic of the Congo/Official languages

The country has one of the highest mortality rates in the planet, and 43 percent of children under the age of five are malnourished. The Human Development Index (HDI) is in the 176th place in a list with 187 countries. School evasion and unemployment are commonplace.

Traditionally men and women in Congo wore clothes made of raffia. This is only used today though, in special ceremonies. It is much more common to see women wearing long skirts and tops with bold patterns and colors. Headwraps and hats are also popular as fashion and sun protection. Men wear a dashiki-style long shirt,

The culture of Congo is based on Music, food, beer, sex and work, those are the pillars of our culture. Congolese tolerate most things, homosexuality, Religion, disability, race and have no real understanding of social status, if you are rich you simply have money.

Congo’s many ethnic groups and regions have developed a mosaic of traditional arts, including painting, sculpture, music, and dance. There has been a tendency to classify sculpture and carving according to the styles of the areas from which they originate.