Bakuba

Bakuba

 

people living along the middle course of the Kasai River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire). They number about 130,000, according to a 1967 estimate: their language belongs to the Bantu family. Christianity coexists with local traditional religions among the Bakuba.

The state of Bakuba, or Bushongo, took shape around the tenth century and survived up to the start of the 20th century. The primary occupation of the Bakuba is farming; handicraft (wood carving) is developed. Capitalist, feudal, and tribal relations are intertwined in the villages. Many Bakuba have moved to the cities and the areas of mining industry.

REFERENCE

Vansina, J. Les Tribus Ba-Kuba et les peuplades apparenties. Tervuren, 1954.