Mbuji-Mayi

Encyclopedia : M : MB : MBU : Mbuji-Mayi

Mbuji-Mayi (formerly Bakwanga) serves as the capital of Kasai-Oriental (Anglicized as East-Kasai) province in the south-central Democratic Republic of Congo. Population estimates vary extremely in the absence of a census but average around one million.

Geography

Mbuji-Mayi lies in Luba country on the Sankuru River.

History

Mbuji-Mayi grew rapidly upon Congolese independence in 1960 with the immigration of Luba from different parts of the country. It served as the capital of the secessionist Mining State of South Kasai from 1960-1962 during the ruinous Congolese civil war.

Culture and Economy

A commercial center, Mbuji-Mayi handles most diamond mining, panning, and production in the Congo.

It is also home to an airport.

The city remains extremely remote for its huge population, with little connection to the outside world.

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