White overseer with black workers on a rubber plantation in Belgian Congo, 1899. The Belgian Congo, located in central Africa along the Congo River basin, was a colony ruled by Belgium from 1908 to 1960.
"Rubber Plantation in Belgian Congo." World History: The Modern Era, ABC-CLIO, 2018, worldhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/2024095. Accessed 12 Oct. 2018.
Most Bantu peoples share a common cultural heritage, distinguished by their genuine concern for the welfare of others. They will nearly always share their food with others in need, no matter how little they may have themselves. Congolese tend to be courteous and friendly. They usually laugh easily and enjoy living. Most Congolese are careful not to offend.
In many groups, speech is often abrupt. Congolese may make requests without a “Please” and accept help without a “Thank you.” Indeed, Lingala was specifically promoted by Belgian colonialists for use in official institutions (such as the police force) because of its directness. Even if a person does not say “Please” (Bolimbisi in Lingala or Tafadhali in Swahili) or “Thank you” (Botondi in Lingala or Aksanti in Swahili), he or she will show gratitude or politeness through actions.
The desires of family, friends, and colleagues are expected to override personal concerns. Individualism at the expense of the family is frowned upon. Time is elastic; Lingala uses the same word, lobi, for both “yesterday” and “tomorrow.” Schedules are not expected to be strictly adhered to, and appointments or events may begin as much as an hour late. Because there are so few wealthy people in Congolese society, they are accorded great respect. Education is highly valued, and people work hard to find a way to pay for their children's schooling.
"Congo-Kinshasa: General Attitudes." CultureGrams Online Edition, ProQuest, 2018, online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country_sections.php?cid=37&cn=Congo-Kinshasa&sname=General_Attitudes&snid=6. Accessed 12 October 2018.
https://www.britannica.com/place/Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo#/media/1/132363/222843
"Infographic of Congo-Kinshasa." CultureGrams Online Edition, ProQuest, 2023, online.culturegrams.com/world/world_popup_infographic.php?scountryname=CongoKinshasa&id=&refername=&type=World. Accessed 15 September 2023.
