Holiday in Mbuji-Mayi

About Mbuji-Mayi

Mbuji-Mayi is the capital of the Kasai-Oriental province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is often referred to as the diamond capital of the world. The city is located on one of the richest diamond deposits on the planet — an estimated one-third of all industrial diamonds worldwide come from this region. The city grew rapidly due to diamond mining and today, with over two million inhabitants, it is one of the largest cities in the Congo. Life here revolves around the diamond trade: at the Marche aux Diamants (diamond market), raw diamonds are traded openly — a unique spectacle that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. The Luba culture has shaped the region for centuries. The Luba people founded one of the largest pre-colonial kingdoms in Central Africa (14th-19th century). Their wood carving art, masks, and statues are among the most significant artworks in Africa and are exhibited in museums worldwide. In Mbuji-Mayi, this culture is still alive: traditional dances, ceremonies, and craftsmanship are part of everyday life. The Mbuji-Mayi River (formerly Sankuru) meanders through the city, offering picturesque riverside scenes. The surrounding savanna landscape with tropical forests is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including rare birds and primates. Visiting the artisanal diamond mines on the outskirts provides insight into the harsh reality of small-scale mining.