Zappo Zap

Songye people in 1947 with a protector statue.

The Zappo Zaps were a group of Songye people from the eastern Kasaï region in what today is the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They acted as allies of the Congo Free State authorities, while trading in ivory, rubber and slaves.[1] In 1899 they were sent out by the colonial administration to collect taxes. They massacred many villagers, causing an international outcry.[2]

  1. ^ Vansina 2010, p. 26.
  2. ^ "Massacre in Congo State" 1900.