History of Mboshi People of Congo Republic , Angola , Central African Republic and Dr. Congo , Gabon , Cameroon.
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Mboshi People also known as Mbochi or Mbochi. Mboshi People is classified as a Bantu Speaking People in Congo Republic , Angola , Gabon , Central African Republic and Cameroon and Mboshi is the original name of the ethnic group which simply means the twins .
According to Oral History , Mboshi are Bantu People who migrated from Mostly Central and East Africa, Mboshi speaking people includes Mossaka , Likouala , Sangha ,came from the Western bank of the Congo river during the mid 18th Century.
It is believed Mboshi shares common Ancestry and as well with the Mbundu People of Angola , Kikongo People of Congo and Angola, Mboshi are considered to be grouped into subtribes such as Kouyou, Makoua , Likouala, Bangala , Bongo .
According to some sources, the Mboshi People said to have migrated from Present day Tanzania and they might closely have relation to the Bena People of Tanzania making them descendants of them , through languages and some of their similarities. It is claimed they migrated from Present day Tanzania and left the Bena People and settled in Congos, Some parts of Angola , Gabon, Cameroon, Central African Republic around the 1800s .
It is believed Mboshi or Mbonchi who were in Congos recently had settled in some parts of Angola and Cameroon then after a long sojourn from the east to the centre , over the years until 1850 .
Mboshi or Mbonchi are located in the Republic of Congo , Dr . Congo , some parts of Angola, Cameroon, Gabon , Central African Republic . Mboshi spoken in Republic of Congo the northern regions include la cuvette the districts , Boundji , Ngoako , d “owando, d”Oyo , Boukoue”le , Tongo , Tchikapika and Mossaka in the region of Plateaux districts of Olombo, Abakan , Allembe and Ogogoni .
According to other narrative on Mboshi People of Republic of Congo , Dr. Congo , Angola , Gabon, Cameroon and Central African Republic , Mboshi also known as Mbochi represent only 12 percent in Congos , 8 percent in Angola , Cameroon, Gabon and Central African Republic .
Mboshi are described as one of the third largest ethnic groups in the Congos they are made up of 10 subgroups which is Likouaka, Likouba, Kouyou, Makouna , Bonga , Boubangui , Moye , Ngare , Mboko and Mboshi or Mbonchi which is the umbrella or another word falls under Unions also can be classified as a family ethnic groups just like Yoruba Ethnic groups which has subgroups such as Ana Ife , Anago Ketu or Nago Ketu , Anango Kura, Egun , Ibarapa, Igbomina and then Igbo which includes subgroups such as Anioma, Aro , Edda, Ekpeye and other subgroups not listed on this research pieces . Mboshi People grow crops such as Coffee, millet , cucumber , cassava , rice and many more then raising livestock such as sheep , goats , bulls , fish etc .
According to Professor of Marien Ngouabi University in Brazzaville of Congo , It is believed it is impossible to distinguish them from the Kongo People of Congos and Angola , Teke People of Gabon and Republic of Congo , Mboshi gave birth to Koumou and Peya which both simply means the names of twins .
It is said Mboshi People who work in Trading and Fishing had already migrated from west bank of Congo river fled north due to the Sangha, Likouala and eventually as far north as Present day Central African Republic which they are known as Boubangui with a small population . Mboshi simply means the twins , words in Mboshi languages such as Olomi , Ibia , Ebena, Ma , Kye , Isaka , Ekoko is used mostly .
According to Oral History of Mboshi People of Congo Republic , some parts of Angola , Gabon , Dr. Congo , some parts of Cameroon , Mboshi are a Bantu Speaking people who migrated from Central and East Africa , Mboshi speaking people includes Mossaka , Likouala , Sangha came from West bank of the Congo river during the 18th Century and share common ancestors with the Mbundu , Kikongo , Yaka , Mboshi are grouped into subtribes also includes the Bangala , Bongo. During Transatlantic Slave Trade , Mboshi were shipped to Cuba , Haiti , Domicana Republic , Argentina , Carribeans and some parts of Usa including New Orleans and Jamaica as well .
Mboshi are one of the ethnic group which they dont speak much about but they are known in The Congos with small populations due to migrations in Angola , Gabon , Cameroon they also served in the French Colonial Military in the 20th Century . Mboshi had its 1st Emperor in the Central African Republic by the name Emperor Jean Bedel Bokaa who was Mboshi or Mbonchi some claimed he might have connections or relation to a Maroon Warrior in Panama .
According to Joshua Project’s account on Mboshi People , They were first known as Mbosi Ubangi and later became known as Mbonchi due to the lost ties to the people who lived in the Congo river basin area . Mboshi language was described as the heart language though they embrace Islam , Christanity they still have strong bonds with their Mboshi Traditional Spirituality their Dieties including Gods and Goddesses is similar to the Luba , Pende , Yaka , Songe , Kuba , Kasai and Lomwe .
According to other narrations , Mboshi was believed to have entered Present day Congo locations between 10th and 14th Century, they were part of the Yaka Kingdom which was established after the Yaka left and migrated from the Kingdom of Kongo due to Invaders around the 17th Century .
In Mboshi Concept , The Supreme Being has an element of Fire and water also can be described as he and she energy which manifested through the Ancestors this can be related to the body is the temple of God concept Traditionally , Ceremonies and traditional rites are performed at sacred forest . Mboshi has a blend of Yaka and Kikongo mixtures in their language .
In Mboshi Culture , there is sharing of drinks with the Ancestors this drink is known as libations or drink offering , drinks includes Mango Juice , traditional beer , traditional beer is also referred as Chamcham is being poured on the ground as a sacred prayer a sign of respect to the Ancestors symbolizes that the Ancestors should be watchful and grant them peace and deliver them from evil forces, hand shakes is a common greeting .
Widows shave their hair due to customary rites but not all Mboshi still embrace it , the reason widows shave their hair is because they are paying respect to their lost or passed away husbands as a state of grieving over the death of their husbands this lasts up to 6 months .
Mboshi or Mbonchi that live in the North Congos including Republic of Congo and Dr. Congo shares boundaries with Teke , Maka , Obenga , Pygmy during several studies of Mboshi or Mbonchi people , They became as Mbochi when the Portuguese Colonialists mispronounced the word Mboshi during their arrival in Present day Congos and Angola . Mboshi are mainly also grouped into other subgroups such as Mboko , Ngare , Akwa , Koyo , Mbonzi , Obaa , Eboyi , Omboo , Tsambitso , Bogmala , Ngae , Nguilima and olee and others , The Original name was Mboshi before it became Mbonchi .
