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Pygmies Wamba |
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Sisi Wambuti tuko!!! |
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The speech of Isiro |
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Speech in Mandela stadium of Isiro: (by Pygmies):
DISTINGUISHED AUTHORITIES.
Mrs and Mr Delegates: Mrs LOMEYA, AND YOU, BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF ISIRO, STUDENTS of ISIRO and YOU SISTERS and BROTHERS PYGMIES, coming from various Parishes of our Dioceses of WAMBA and ISIRO: like: MUNGBERE and DINGBO, MABOMA, LINGONDO, WAMBA, BAYENGA, BAFWABAKA, BABONDE, IBAMBI, PAWA, MEDJE, GOMBARI, and from the neighbourhood of Isiro
GREETINGS AND WELCOME MBOTE NA BINO BANSO SALAMUNI WOTE BOBOTO – BONDEKO – ESENGO
NOUS AUSSI LES PYGMEES, NOUS EXISTONS
BISO MPE BAMBOTE, TOZALI
SISI WAMBUTI, TUKO !
With this March of Peace, today, here and now, we Pygmies have done a 200 Squares walk. We want to demonstrate against the authorities of our country and the people of the North-Eastern Province represented here in Isiro: OUR RIGHTS as CONGOLESE CITIZENS in D.R. Congo
We ask for:
1. JUSTICE
PYGMIES are entitled to be enrolled; they have the right to have their identity cards and to elect the authorities of the Country like any other Congolese. The law is equal and valid for all the Citizens: but we know that Pygmies are judged lawlessly. Three Pygmies have been killed and the court asked pygmies to look for means of transport enabling the court to carry out investigations. The culprits were not arrested and the court didn’t hear their case, to our great surprise, the Police received 250$ of fine from them, so the were made free without indemnifying the family of the deceased.
The PATRONAGE: every citizen is "free", On the contrary, the Pygmies belong to “bosses" (Lords), who often are Traditional Chiefs or large (important) Bantus families ( “Arabianized”) who exploit Pygmies. Indeed Pygmies are used without being paid; they are also forced to stay in the forest to hunt for them, but in return, they are paid only with some bangi (drugs) and alcohol.
The Bantus also give works to the pygmies who are scoffed and cheated with a worthless Corresponding rewards.
The local Authorities, sometimes, get involved in our meetings, without letting us the opportunity to sort out our problems at our families level. They enter into our families business with the aim of stealing our goods.
We, Pygmies, have the right to benefit from the Public Health system: 45% of our children die before reaching 5 years. (Taking 10 newborn babies, only 4 reach the age of 15). We ask for a FREE EDUCATION for our Children, with respect of our culture and of our lifestyle, with an adapted school Terms and Programs (cf. O.R.A method). We have more than 5000 primary school’s pupils and more that 10 Secondary schools: Our children pass their exams like others.
2° RESPECT:
Pygmies deserve respect and dignity; they are not a lower category of people. We want: Equality in Dignity and equality in rights because « Pygmies=Citizens like others »
3° EQUALITY:
We ask for PLOTS OF LAND where we will be establish freely and suitably; grounds to be cultivated, moreover, we are the " first inhabitants " in DRC.
4°FRATERNITY:
we want to live peacefully with all, respecting, and helping each other. We call the discrimination off in the country. We want to be involved in public institutions and decisions
5° WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM US?
We have to improve our lifestyle and take up a journey for own DEVELOPMENT. We must WORK together (farming) in order to have food to feed our families. This will help us to stop stealing from other’s people farms and wandering.
We have to improve the hygienic conditions of our camps and send our children to schools everyday…!
We call for a RECONCILIATION that builds up peace in Justice and FRARENITY.
PYGMIES OF D.R.CONGO
Thanks you for listening to us |
