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BaNande | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Total population | |
| 2.400.000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Democratic Republic of the Congo (primarilyNorth Kivu) | |
| Languages | |
| Nande,Swahili,French | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity (mostlyRoman Catholic),Traditional African religions | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Hunde,Konjo,Komo,Nyanga, otherGreat Lakes Bantu |
TheNande orYira are aBantu people living in the east of theDemocratic Republic of Congo, mostly inNorth Kivu (Beni andLubero Territories), where they constitute more than 60% of the population. They speak theNande language and are closely related to theKonjo people ofUganda, sometimes regarded as the same people.[1] They numbered around 2,400,000 in 2025, and are predominantlyChristian.[citation needed]
The Nande are divided into 12 clans, namely Baswagha, Basukali, Bamate, Bahira, Bakira, Bahambo, Bito, Batangi, Bahumbe, Bakumbule, Batike and Babinga. Each clan is independent and governed by its own family head, also called "king" (omukama, omughole ou omwami), while there is no common supreme king.[2]
The Nande are mainly farmers and breeders of small livestock, even if livestock farming is a prerogative of only a few large families. They grow plantains, tubers and cereals as staple foods, and coffee, cocoa, cinchona and tea for export. Other activities include fishing in nearbyLake Edward and trade, historically focused on salt extracted fromLake Katwe in Uganda.
