The Connection Between the Kingdom of Kongo and the Congos Under Colonial Rule

Both the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of the Congo were indirectly related to the Kingdom of Kongo, a significant land in the region. This article explores the historical underpinnings and the colonial influences that shaped their modern-day designations. The keywords used are Kingdom of Kongo, DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo), and Republic of the Congo.

Indirect Connections through the Congo River

While there was no direct relation between the Kingdom of Kongo and the contemporary DRC or Republic of the Congo, these nations share a profound connection through the Congo River. The river derived its name from the BaKongo people, a significant ethnic group living in the region when European explorers first arrived. The BaKongo kingdom was centered around northern Angola, with its territories extending north into western DRC.

During the colonial era, European powers drew arbitrary borders along the Congo River. The territory north of the river became French Congo, later known as the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), while the area to the south evolved into Belgian Congo, which later became the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Colonial Influence and Naming

The naming of the colonial territories was based on the river and the basin of land whose water drains into the Congo River, reflecting the region's importance in colonial maps. This river had been named after the BaKongo people and their kingdom, situated near where the river flows into the Atlantic Ocean, by earlier European explorers.

Neither nation was officially named based on the kingdoms of the past, as tribal matters were not considered when establishing the colonies. Instead, the designation of the regions was based on geographical features and the river's basin.

French and Belgian Colonial Territories

French Congo, later renamed the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville), was located in the middle altitude section of the river basin, roughly corresponding to the right bank. The name 'Middle Congo' or 'Congo Moyen' referred to this territory, which traditionally lay between Kinshasa and Mbandaka. The DRC's area was known as Bas-Congo or Low Congo, a reference to the river's basin.

During the tenure of Mobutu, the DRC province of Bas-Congo was renamed to Bas-Zare, indicating a Portuguese corruption of an indigenous name. The term 'Zare' is eventually used to refer to the river itself and signifies the central location in the traditional BaKongo heartland. In recent years, the province has been renamed to Kongo Central, further emphasizing the region's historical and geographical importance.

Conclusion

The relationship between the Kingdom of Kongo and the present DRC and Republic of the Congo is more about historical and geographical connections than direct political and cultural affiliations. The naming and borders established by the colonial powers have left a lasting impact on the region, influencing the modern geopolitical landscape.

The keywords used in this article are: Kingdom of Kongo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo. These terms encapsulate the historical and contemporary relationship between the areas formerly under Kongo's influence and the territories now bearing these names.