Zaire: Information on whether the Bakongo are one of the tribes established within the 1 August 1885 territorial limits of Zaire, particularly with reference to article 4, section II of Law No. 81-002 of 29 June 1981 concerning Zairian nationality
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 January 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ZAR25990.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Zaire: Information on whether the Bakongo are one of the tribes established within the 1 August 1885 territorial limits of Zaire, particularly with reference to article 4, section II of Law No. 81-002 of 29 June 1981 concerning Zairian nationality, 1 January 1997, ZAR25990.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aaba34.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
During a 29 January 1997 telephone interview, a student of Zairian origin at the University of Ottawa, who is specialising in Common Law and who acted as judge in Zaire for 18 years, indicated that the Bakongo (Kongo) were among the first inhabitants of Zaire. He explained that the world "Congo", the former name of Zaire, originated with Bakongo tribe. The same source explained that a Bakongo born in Zaire before 30 June 1960 is Zairian by origin, not because of his birth date but because of one or both of his parents belong to the Bakongo tribe, which was established in Zaire before 1 August 1885.
The New Encyclopaedia Britannica describes the Bakongo or Kongo as a group of Bantu-speaking people who live in Zaire, Angola and Congo (1989, 947). Africa on a Shoestring indicates that the Kongo kingdom was one of the first great kingdoms to have emerged by the end of the 14th century (Crowther et al 1995, 990).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Crowther, Geoff et al. 1995. Africa On a Shoestring. Berkely, CA: Lonely Planet Publications.
Faculty of Law of University Of Ottawa. 29 January 1997. Telephone interview with a student.
The New Encyclopedia Britannica. 1989. 25th ed. Vol. 6. Edited by Phil W. Goetz. Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica Inc.
Attachments
Crowther, Geoff et al. 1995. Africa On a Shoestring. Berkely, CA: Lonely Planet Publications, p. 990.
The New Encyclopedia Britannica. 1989. 25th ed. Vol. 6. Edited by Phil W. Goetz. Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica Inc, p. 947.
Unsuccessful attempts were made to contact official representatives of Zaire
