CULTURE
Zaire
itself has a vast range of ethnic groups and languages. Over 250
languages are spoken across the nation, including Kikongo, Tshiluba,
Lingala, Kiswahili, and the official French language, from the
previous Belgian rule. As there are over 250 languages, there
are close to the same number of ethnic and indigenous groups in
the country. Each area of the country has a some what different
group of people. In the savannas to the north the Adamawa-Eastern
language is dominate. This language is spoken by the Ngbandi,
Ngbaka, and Banda people. The inhabitants of the Congo River Basin
speak Bantu, as well as the dwellers in the eastern forests, highlands,
and plains. Lunda prevails in the savannas and throughout southeastern
Zaire. The western section of the country is home to many different
tribes with their own languages. You may ask then why French is
the national language when the majority of the country seems to
speak dozens of different languages? The majority of the schools
in Zaire are taught in French. Although only 65 percent of children
reach fourth grade, the country is very proud of their universities,
which 35 percent of the nation attends. Religion is very important
in Zaire and there are three main religions that people attend
church for and are also taught in school: Approximately half of
the country is Roman Catholic, a quarter are Protestant, and the
remaining quarter belong to the indigenous Kimbanguist Church.
Today in Zaire women are beginning to receive the same rights
and equality as males. They have to rights to own cars and property,
and can work in most of the same jobs as males can. Women do,
though, earn less then men in most situations, even the military
in which they can participate in. At home they generally cook
the food and when not working, look after the children.
