The Basenji is a breed of hunting dog. The Basenji is a breed of hunting dog. It was bred from stock that originated in central Africa. Most of the major kennel clubs in the English-speaking world place the breed in the hound group—more specifically, in the sighthound type. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale places the breed in its group five (spitz and primitive types), and the United Kennel Club (US) places the breed in its Sighthound and pariah group. The Azande and Mangbetu people from the northeastern Congo region describe Basenjis, in the local Lingala language, as mbwá na basɛ́nzi. Translated, this means 'dogs of the savages', or 'dogs of the villagers'. Another local name is m’bwa m’kube m’bwa wamwitu, or 'dog that jumps up and down', a reference to their tendency to jump straight up to spot their quarry.