In the Congo Basin , it designates the Ngala people and their language, which served as a lingua franca along the Congo River.
The modern language of is perhaps the most prominent manifestation of the "Ngala" identity. Originally known as Bangala (referring to the people of Bangala Station), the language was developed from the Bobangi dialect to facilitate trade between Europeans and local populations in the 1880s. Ngilala
By the early 20th century, missionaries—most notably —reformed its grammar and changed the name to "Lingala" to better fit Bantu linguistic rules. Today, it is spoken by approximately 40 million people and is the primary language of the Congolese military and the popular Soukous music genre. Cultural and Biological Significance In the Congo Basin , it designates the