P O P U L A T I O N |
 Today's Congolese
populations - with their ethnic features, their languages and their religious beliefs -
are the result of a long history which is still not fully known.. Congo experienced numerous invasions over the past centuries. The various ethnic groups - such as the Bantu from the east, the Sudanese, recent invaders who moved in from the north, the Nilotic from the north east and the Pygmies - have settled and been established in recent times. . The Christian religion is the most widespread, mainly in the west of the country and in the cities. Animist religions are also very popular. As a matter of fact, religious syncretism is common in the most disadvantaged social brackets. French is the official language of Congo. The native languages originate from Bantu, being this the largest ethnic community. Languages include Lingala, Kikongo, Kiswahili, Tshiluba. |