Lari people (Congo)


The Lari is an ethnic group of the Republic of the Congo and the name of the language they speak. A subgroup of the Kongo people, the Lari live in the communes of Brazzaville, the capital; and Pointe-Noire, and within the surrounding Pool Department, where they constitute almost the entire population. There are an estimated 1.2 million Lari living in Congo.
Their language is a mix of the languages spoken by the peoples within Pool Department, in the districts of Kongo, Nsundi, and Boko. These include the Teke people. The Lari are known for having opposed the autocratic and longterm government in Congo. Some 90% of the Lari live in the southern part of Brazzaville. Many of them are farmers, fishermen, and businessmen.