Urbanization and Ethnic Diversity in Congo

What is the Congo Congo’s population is estimated at 4.04 million, over half of which live in the two major cities of Brazzaville and Pointe- Noire. In this area since the 20th century three fourth of the population lives in urban areas, making the Congo one of Africa’s most urbanized countries. 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. The Bantu include 74 peoples belonging to different ethnic groups such as the Kongo, the Teke, the Mbochi and the Sangha. The Bakongo live in the south from Brazzaville to Pointe-Noire on the Atlantic coast. The Bakongo include the Lari around Brazzaville, the Vili near Pointe-Noire, the Yombe in the Mayombe Range, the Babembe, the Basoundi, the Bakamba and of course the Bakongo, after the powerful Kings of

Maize and cornmeal flour, cassava flour and other cereals are the main staples supplemented by tropical fruits like pineapples and plantains, vegetables, beef, fish, pork and goat meat. The Congo River and the other rivers and lakes are an endless source of freshwater fish and shrimps that go into wonderfully spicy dishes made with locally grown hot peppers. These basic foods are served mostly as a thick stew or porridge, flavoured with a spicy sauce containing palm oil. Bush-meat specialties include smoked monkey, smoked antelope and grilled crocodile. Other traditional foods include pounded sesame or squash seeds, shish kebabs and plantain dough. Caterpillars, grubs, termites and roasted crickets are considered delicacies, as is "Saka-madesu” a combination of stewed manioc leaves and beans cooked in a palm oil sauce. Some of the favorite local drinks made in Congo are "lunguila" or sugar cane wine and palm