Democratic Republic of the Congo
Late 19th-early 20th century
Copper alloy
9 1/2 x 6 inches
Mongo
The Mongo are a people of central Africa, specifically in the south of the province of Équateur and the north of the province of Bandundu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They speak Mongo or its dialects, but the Lingala language is usually used and sometimes replaces Mongo in urban centers. With the Luba and the Kongo, they make up the largest Bantu populations of the DRC.
The ethnic group is divided into several clans: Bolia, Bokote, Bongandu, Ekonda, Mbole, Ndengese, Nkutu, Ntomba, Sengele and Songomeno.