The Bashi are a Bantu population (10 to 25 million) of Central Africa, primarily settled in Bushi – or the territory of the Bashi – in the extreme east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in the territories of Walungu, Kabare, Mwenga, Kalehe, Idjwi, Fizi, Shabunda, and Uvira. Their main reference cities are Bukavu and Goma.
They are also widely present in North Kivu and in Goma. They are one of the most widespread ethnic groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, being present across a large part of the country, in every major city and especially in Kinshasa. They are also considered one of the most entrepreneurial groups. Etymology The word Mushi refers to an inhabitant of the Bushi. The territory of Bushi is inhabited by the Ba-shi in the plural, whose singular form is Mu-shi.
The language spoken by the inhabitants of Bushi is Mashi. Thus, "Shi" functions primarily as a stem that can take several prefixes and thereby change its meaning. The term "Shi" is therefore a French-derived form of a word that is actually a morpheme.
According to different sources, several variants can be found: Amashi, Bashi, and Shis. The Bashi were one of the powerful kingdoms established in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, around the 17th to 19th centuries, with Mwami Kabare as their supreme ruler. The kingdom later split into several smaller kingdoms extending from Kabare towards Walungu, Mwenga, Kalehe, Idjwi, and other surrounding territories.
Language The Shi, or Mashi, is a Bantu language spoken primarily in South Kivu and North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is traditionally spoken in the region known as Bushi, west and southwest of Lake Kivu, by the Shi, and has nearly two million speakers according to estimates.Bashi Murhi-Orhakube, 2005.
Its dialects include Kihavu, Kinyindu, Kifuliiru, and others.
The Shi or Mashi is a Bantu language spoken mainly in South Kivu, in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is the historical language of the Bashi people and is one of the principal means of communication in the territories of Kabare, Idjwi, Walungu, Kalehe, and Mwenga, as well as in parts of Uvira, the city of Bukavu, and several neighboring regions.
Mashi forms a linguistic group composed of several mutually intelligible regional dialects. Among the principal dialects are Kihavu, spoken particularly by the Bahavu on Idjwi Island and in certain areas along the shores of Lake Kivu; Kifuliiru, spoken by the Bafuliiru in the territory of Uvira; and Kinyindu, spoken by the Banyindu. Despite differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, and certain local features, these varieties belong to the same linguistic and cultural continuum.
Bashi clans and totems Representative table of the clans and their totemsWritings of Abbé Kagaragu Clan nameTerm in MashiTerm in EnglishBabamboKafunziWrenBabiriziNkwalePartridgeBabofaNyamwisisiWagtailBabwandaCibuziSheepBadahaNyamwisisiWagtailBafundaNyamwisisiWagtailBagombaKafunziWrenBahambaNgabiGrey antelopeBahandeMpeneGoatBahangaMbogoBuffaloBahangarhwaCinoneraGrey grasshopperBahesiIguPythonBahondwaKafunziWrenBakangaKabambaliCatfishBakangarhwaKabwaDogBakumuMusimbiServalBalambaKatunziWrenBalangiroNgwiLeopardBalega ou BashebesheKafunziWrenBalinjaKafunziWrenBalinzi ou BabulinziMusimbiServalBalohoMushikuChimpanzeeBalukuHungweCrowBalumbuMbogoBuffaloBanjogaHungweCrowBanyakadumaMfukoMoleBanyaciangaKabwaDogBanyacidahaCibiribiriOwlBanyacivulaLumveChameleonBanyacivunoCibiribiriOwlBanyacoyaMusimbiServalBanyakabwaKabwaDogBanyakadusiNyangeIbisBanyalengeNgwiLeopardBanyalunuCibiribiriOwlBanyalwengeNyambweJackalBanyalwiziKabwaDogBanyamahanziLuzigeGrasshopperBanyamalindyeKabwaDogBanyambalaKafaaCivetBanyambiririNgulubePigBanyamubiraHungweCrowBanyamukaliCikereToadBanyamungereNkafuCowBanyamwocaNgwiLeopardBanyanguruMushereberaLizardBanyehyaKabwaDogBanyibambaMusimbiServalBanyihoka ou BazimuleNgwiLeopardBanyintu The Banyintu are a clan of Ntwali warriorsNyangeIbisBanyitumuNyambweJackalBanyihiKabwaDogBanyunguMuhangaliGrey crowned craneBarhanaHungweCrowBarhemboNjuziTiger catBarhunguLumveChameleonBarhungurhwaCinoneraGrey grasshopperBasaraziIguPythonBashangwaNjuziTiger catBashanjaKafunziWrenBasheke ou BanyalugonoMushekeGreen grasshopperBashimbiLubakaSparrowhawkBashinjahavu ou BeegaCikereToadBashohoCikereToadBasibulaNjuziTiger catBasibula-bahandeLutanguliraSpiderBatangaKabwaDogBatumba ou BalamboNgwiLeopardBatwalushuliNyangeIbisBaziraloMbukuleAntelopeBazirampeneMpeneGoatBishazaKabwaDogBwozi (Basose ou Banyankole)NgwiLeopard
History The origins of the Shi people can be traced back to the Bantu migrations in Central Africa. According to oral traditions, the Shi established centralized kingdoms in the Kivu region several centuries before European colonization. The Shi kingdom, known as the Kingdom of Bushi, was one of the most structured kingdoms in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, with traditional rulers (Bami) who are still recognized today.Oral traditions collected in the Kivu region
Under Belgian colonial rule, the Shi region underwent administrative reorganization, the expansion of Christian missions, and economic exploitation, particularly in the fields of agriculture and mining. Despite these changes, Shi traditional institutions retained considerable influence.Colonial archives of the Belgian Congo, 1920–1960
Origin of the name Munyabungo According to Rwandan historian Alexis Kagame, the term Munyabungo (or Banyabungo), referring to the inhabitants of Bushi, originated from historical conflicts between Rwanda and Bushi. Kagame explains:“The Rwandans nicknamed the kingdom of Bushi 'Bunyabungo' and its inhabitants 'Banyabungo' to mean 'Strong Country, courageous and valiant warriors', following several unsuccessful attempts by Rwanda to conquer it.”Alexis Kagame, Histoire du Rwanda, Éditions universitaires du Rwanda, 1959
Historical conflicts between Rwanda and Bushi First war (1388)
During the reign of Mwami Nsoro I of Rwanda and Mwami Nnabushi Kamome of Bushi, Rwandan forces crossed the Ruzizi River and attacked Bushi as far as Cirunga. The Bushi army successfully repelled the invasion, killing the Rwandan commanders Ndahiro II and Ruganzu II, and capturing the royal drum (Kalinga), the symbol of Rwandan royal power.Kagame, Alexis. Histoire du Rwanda, p. 112
Second war (c. 1604–1610)
Approximately three centuries later, King Kigeli II Nyamuheshera of Rwanda attempted to avenge the previous defeats. His army was surrounded and completely annihilated by the Kabera warriors of Bushi.Alexis Kagame, Chroniques rwandaises, vol. II
Third war (c. 1766–1770)
The Rwandan army suffered another decisive defeat, and its commander Kimana, son of Kabajyonjya, was killed.Oral accounts of Bushi elders, collected by the University of Bukavu
The wars of Rwabugiri (1873)
King Rwabugiri Kigeli IV of Rwanda launched a campaign to conquer Bushi, which he regarded as the principal obstacle to Rwandan domination of the western Lake Kivu region. His commander Rwanyonga initially succeeded in occupying the center of Bushi at Mbiza (Kabare), forcing King Rutaganda of Bushi to retreat to Luhwinja. However, the Shi counteroffensive led by Mutaruba was devastating. Rwabugiri withdrew beyond Lake Kivu and declared a year of mourning for his fallen soldiers, while Shi forces occupied part of Rwandan territory.Kagame, Alexis. Histoire du Rwanda, pp. 145–148
Legacy of the name As documented by Alexis Kagame, the names Bunyabungo (for the country) and Banyabungo (for the people) persisted in Rwandan oral tradition as a tribute to the military strength and resistance of Bushi.Kagame, Alexis. Chroniques rwandaises, vol. III
Agriculture The Bashi practice subsistence agriculture. It benefits from the proximity of volcanic areas, whose soil is highly fertile, as well as from the region's climate. Thus, in Bushi, two harvests a year can be obtained for staple crops. These mainly include beans, maize, sorghum, potatoes (potatoes and sweet potatoes), yam, and others. Cassava is one of the most widespread crops.
On average, each family has a vegetable garden in which it grows various types of vegetables. Banana cultivation is particularly widespread. In rural areas, each household has its own fields and banana plantation. There are several types of bananas, serving different purposes. One type of banana is used to produce the local alcoholic beverage, known as Kasigsi. Another type is intended to be eaten as a fruit, while another can be cooked and eaten as a side dish or as a substitute for potatoes. Plantains are another type and are intended to be cooked either when ripe or while still green.
Livestock farming Cows are the most widely raised livestock. They represent both wealth for the family and a marker of social status. Since the regimes that have governed the Congo did not promote banking investment, the Bashi learned to convert their assets into cattle. Thus, the number of cows one owns provides a visible indication of social status. During marriage ceremonies, a young fiancé is expected to offer cattle as a bride price to his future in-laws.
Cattle are also raised for milk. Milk is consumed fresh or processed into cheese. The most common variety is a fresh cheese known as Mashanza.“The technology of traditional milk products in developing countries: 1.8 Mashanza (Zaire)”
The Bashi are also enthusiastic breeders of goats, chickens, and small livestock such as rabbits. In recent decades, pig farming has also increased.
Livestock serves both as a store of value and a means of exchange, as well as a source of food.
Commerce Commerce plays an important role in the economic life of the Bashi. They are known for their strong involvement in commercial activities, making trade one of the sectors traditionally associated with their economic dynamism. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Bashi are considered one of the most advanced and entrepreneurial groups in this field.
Historically, commercial activities have developed both in rural areas of Bushi and in the major urban centers of eastern Congo, particularly Bukavu and Goma. Bashi merchants are active in retail and wholesale trade, agriculture and the marketing of agricultural products, livestock, transportation, real estate, and various service industries.
This commercial tradition has also expanded beyond Bushi. The presence of Bashi communities in different regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in Kinshasa.
Commerce is therefore, alongside agriculture, livestock farming, and entrepreneurship, one of the main pillars of the Bashi economy. This strong commercial culture is often associated with the importance placed on individual initiative, family investment, and the gradual accumulation of wealth.
Culture
The Bashi have a diverse cultural tradition. Their literature gained recognition through the writings of Abbé Kagaragu Ntabaza. His major work, Emigani bali bantu,Kagaragu Ntabaza, Emigani bali Bantu – Proverbes et maximes des Bashi, Libreza, Bukavu, 1984 (4th ed.), 410 p. is a collection of proverbs. He recorded thousands of them, covering virtually every aspect of life, including justice, family, spirituality, the economy, education, and social relations.
Traditional culture