Kikongo is a Bantu language spoken primarily in the western part of Central Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, and Angola. It serves as a lingua franca among various ethnic groups in these regions and has several dialects, including Kikongo ya Leta and Kikongo ya Kongo. The language has a rich cultural heritage and is used in traditional music, storytelling, and rituals. Kikongo is also significant in the history of the African diaspora, influencing languages and cultures in the Americas, particularly in Brazil and Cuba, due to the transatlantic slave trade.