Bembe people

Bembe people
Regions with significant populations
DRC1 500 000 (2005)
Languages
Bembe language, Swahili, Lingala
Religion
Christianity, Islam, Malkia Waubembe
Related ethnic groups
Lega, Bangubangu, Zimba, Hemba, Buyu, Tabwa, Nyindu, Fuliiru, Vira
Bembe
PersonMubembe
PeopleBabembe
LanguageKibembe
CountryUbembe

The Bembe people (Babembe in the plural) are an ethnic group based in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and western Kigoma Region of Tanzania. They live mainly in the territory of Fizi in South Kivu. The Bembe are also in the province of Tanganyika in the city of Kalemie. In 1991, the Bembe population of the DRC was estimated to number 252,000 and around 1.5 million in 2005.

They are representative of many ethnic traditions, including pre-Lega, Boyo-Kunda, Hemba and Bemba.