ABSTRACT
Skilled workers other than the Europeans were imported from Senegal and the Gold Coast. In Belgian territory the State controlled the hiring of porters as well as of all workers. The most vivid picture of porterage is found in the diaries and memoirs of whites who made their way from the coast to the Pool. Ethnic rivalries would have accounted for some of the difficulties in recruitment. It is reasonable to assume that the Tio at the Pool would have resented the presence of the Bakongo in their territory. In 1889 the Congolese government assumed full control of all labor recruitment in the Congo Free State. Recruitment seems to have been left to private parties. In fact, loads of the French government in 1893 were in one instance at least transported from Matadi to Brazzaville on French territory but using the Dutch trading firm. Slaves were also used as carriers.
