History of the Kasai region
This is a history of the Kasai region in the Democratic Republic of Congo and of the political divisions which have occupied it since human settlement began. Earliest residence Not much is known of pre-Bantu residence in the region, although it is likely that Pygmies once dwelled in Kasai. European exploration Belgian rule Belgian rule in Kasai, post-Leopold, eventually saw the consolidation of the region as a single political unit. In 1919, Bas-Congo, Moyen-Congo, Kasaï, Kwango and Sankuru districts (out of 22 districts created in the Belgian Congo) were merged into Congo Kasai, one of four provinces created that year. In 1933 Kasaï and Sankuru (the two eastern districts of the former vice government general of Congo-Kasaï) and parts of the districts of Léopold II (in Equateur) and Lomami (in Katanga) were separated to form the new Congolese province of Lusambo (after 1947, Kasai); in turn, Bas-Congo, Kwango, Léopoldville and the major part of Lake Léopold II became the new province of Léopoldville. In 1957, the capital of Kasai was moved from Lusambo to Luluabourg. End of Belgian rule In 1960, the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared independence from Belgium. However, it was beset by a number of secessions