Other local tribal groupings include the Bateke (the natives of this area) and Batende, who have their own Bantu languages.

Whitehead (known as "Moteyi Nkasa" in Bobangi), who was responsible for the production of a grammar and dictionary in that language.

The Baptist Missionary Society established a hospital, primary and secondary schools, a printing press, and a Bible Institute for training pastors.

It was served by expatriate personnel from Britain and some Peace Corps workers from the USA until economic and political conditions deteriorated in the 1990s.

There is also a Catholic church that was established by European missionary priests and sisters, including from Belgium, the former colonial power.