The Kango people, also known as the Bakango or Batchua, are a distinctive group within the Mbuti pygmy communities of the Ituri forest in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. They are characterized by their unique cultural practices, language, and socio-political relationships within the region.   The Kango speak the Bantu language Bila, which is divided into two dialects: northern Sua and southern Kango. This linguistic affiliation sets them apart from other Mbuti pygmy groups who typically speak Central Sudanic languages. Despite their pygmy ancestry, the Kango have integrated culturally and economically with neighboring Bantu-speaking peoples, forging a complex patron–vassal relationship. This relationship extends to groups such as the Bila,…