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Christianity is one of the major religion in Zaire. The statistics that is available is not precise. But as per a rough estimation 46 to 48 percent of the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo are Roman Catholics; while 24 to 28 percent are Protestants; and nearly 16.5 percent follow the indigenous Kimbanguist Church. 1 percent of the population in the country follow Islam. The followers of Islam are mainly found in the Maniema Region of Kivu and also in the selected areas of eastern Zaire from Kisangani south to Shaba. The remaining population indulge in the traditional religions of Africa.
It is very difficult to demarcate the people of Zaire on the basis of religion because the class identity or the ethnic identity or the religious identity of an individual may be situational.
The Democratic Republic of Congo are inhabited by more than 200 African ethnic groups. The majority of these ethnic groups are Bantu. The four largest tribes that live in the region are Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) which constitute about 45% of the population. Huge number of African indigenous beliefs and practices are followed by these ethnic groups.
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