Boma
Country: DR Congo
Region: Africa
Period: 1886-1923CE
Location: -5.85°N, 13.05°E
Description
Boma, located along the Congo River in present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo, was the capital of the Congo Free State from 1886 to 1908. Administered by King Leopold II of Belgium as his personal possession, Boma served as the primary colonial administrative and trading center during a period marked by extreme exploitation and violence.
Modern Remains
Today, Boma retains elements of its colonial past, including administrative buildings, old warehouses, and European-style architecture from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Though no longer a capital, it remains a functioning port city. The memory of its role in the Congo Free State endures in historical studies, monuments, and local narratives, making Boma a site of reflection on colonial exploitation and resistance.