The cuisine of the Democratic Republic of the Congo varies widely, representing the food of indigenous people. Cassava is generally the staple food usually eaten with other side dishes.
Over 200 ethnic groups populate the Democratic Republic of the Congo, of which the majority are Bantu peoples. Together, Mongo, Luba and Kongo peoples (Bantu) and Mangbetu-Azande peoples constitute around 45% of the population.
In July 1960, there were six provinces in the Belgian Congo: Leopoldville Province, Equateur Province, Province Orientale, Kivu Province, Katanga Province, and Kasai Province. Kivu Province existed from 1933 to 1962 (under the name Province de Costermansville until 1947, from the name of its capital) and from 1966 to 1988.