Wagenia children 
STANLEYVILLE 
HISTORICAL SURVEY — 
STANLEYVILLE, THE WELL NAMED 
Stanley first reached the Falls in January 1877; after 
passing the succession of rapids and falls barring the 
river between Ponthierville and Stanleyville, the famous 
explorer continued downstream still believing he was 
descending the Nile. It was only after passing what 
are now known as the Stanley Falls that he realised 
his mistake. 
In 1882, the Arab Buana Mabruki and his band occu¬ 
pied the region. 
On December 1, 1883, Stanley, acting for the Interna¬ 
tional African Association, travelled up the Congo river, 
making treaties with the native chiefs and establishing 
some outposts on the banks. When he reached Stanley¬ 
ville, he took up quarters on « Kisangani » island 
upstream from the present town. Four mango 
trees, planted by the first chief of the post, can still be 
seen on the north-western point of the island. When he 
returned to the Lower Congo, Stanley entrusted the 
command of this station to Deane, a Scotsman. 
For over ten years this small post, the oldest in the 
Independent Congo State, led a precarious existence, en¬ 
gaged in constant warfare with the Arab slave traders. 
The first buildings which gave rise to the present 
town were erected on the right bank in 1898. A lovely 
city now stretches for many miles along the river. 
The settlement on the left bank is smaller; this is 
where the Upper Congo Railroad to the Great African 
Lakes have their holding. Their network, partly river 
connections and partly railroad, reaches Lake Tanga¬ 
nyika. 
The left bank can be reached without difficulty, by 
a flotilla of motor whaleboats and ferries. 
White population in 1953 : 4809. 
Native population in 1953 : 75653. 
■ yvISSm '■ 
Wagenia Fishermen at Stanleyville 
EASTERN PROVINCE * BELGIAN CONGO 
Edited by the 
TOURIST BUREAU FOR THE BELGIAN CONGO 
AND RUANDA-URUNDI 
28, Putterie, Brussels, Phone 12.87.98. 
Form. 174 
Lokele Fishermen at Stanleyville 
General Olsen », on the Leopoldville-Stanleyville run 
L* m* mm 
Trained elephants 
at Gangala na Bodio, 
Printed in Belgium. 
Helio-Oifset A.S.A.R., Brussels, 
''V : 
