|
| |
Demographics
The population was estimated at 56.6 million in 2003, growing quickly from 46.7
million in 1997. As many as 250 ethnic groups have been distinguished and named.
The most numerous people are the Kongo, Luba, and Mongo. Although seven hundred
local languages and dialects are spoken, the linguistic variety is bridged both
by the use of French and the intermediary languages Kongo, Tshiluba, Swahili,
and Lingala.
Religion
Christianity is the majority religion in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
followed by about 80% of the population, comprising Roman Catholic 50%,
Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%. Kimbanguism was seen as a threat to the
colonial regime and was banned by the Belgians. Kimbanguism, officially "the
church of Christ on Earth by the prophet Simon Kimbangu," now has about three
million members, primarily among the Bakongo of Bas-Congo and Kinshasa.
As well as being the largest religious organisation in the country with about 30
million members, the Roman Catholic Church in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo is one of the largest Christian Churches in Africa.
62 of the Protestant denominations in the country are federated under the
umbrella of the Church of Christ in Congo or CCC (in French, Église du Christ au
Congo or ECC). It is often simply referred to as 'The Protestant Church', since
it covers most of the 20% of the population who are Protestants.
Of the remaining 20% of the population, up to 10% are Muslim, and the rest
follow traditional beliefs or syncretic sects. Islam was first brought to the
country by traders from East Africa. Traditional religions embody such concepts
as monotheism, animism, vitalism, spirit and ancestor worship, witchcraft, and
sorcery and vary widely among ethnic groups. The syncretic sects often merge
Christianity with traditional beliefs and rituals, and may not be accepted by
mainstream churches as part of Christianity.
| |
|
