Katanga’s “forgotten people”
In the 1970s, several Japanese men (possibly more than a thousand) lived in the region of Katanga in DRC working at the mines.
These men were…well, just men. So, far away from home, a lot of those single men found themselves beautiful partners among the congolese women and mixed couples were formed. Obviously, women got pregnant and biracial babies were soon born.
However, even though they gave birth to healthy babies, most of the women saw their semi-japanese offspring ending up mysteriously dead. The women, and others, believe that Japanese doctors, with the consent of the miners, were responsible for killing these babies because the constitution of their country was against any blood mix. Not only they did not want to return to Japan with them but they did not want to leave any trail either.
Some of those Blasian children survived only cause given birth in the “bush” hidden from any japanese doctors by grandparents fearing for their lives.
These surviving children, now grown up have formed a organisation and are seeking closure. Apparently there are 50 children who survived but there are no details on the number of children that died.
The sadness that seems like a second mask on Nhanha Kamisawa’s face is heartbreaking and what a life…
Hopefully there will be regulations for these Chinese men who, I am sure, are already having children in Congo too. This tragedy should never be repeated.
(Source: france24.com)
Reblogged from theafricatheynevershowyou|267 notes