'Bumuntu' memory in a Hobbesian world

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a nation seemingly plagued by violence. Common to situations of protracted conflict, a dominant narrative has emerged of the DRC as an 'Hobbesian chaos.' Further bolstered by the tenacity of colonial imagery of the 'savagery' and 'inherent violence' of the Congolese peoples, this narrative has given credence to fundamentally flawed understandings of violence and thus approaches to peace-building. This paper seeks to provide a counter-narrative, instead drawing attention to the existence of local sapiential resources which promote peaceful and harmonious societies. It will focus on the case study of one aspect of 'cultural peace'1 the 'Bumuntu' (authentic humanity) paradigm and its application amongst the Luba peoples of Katanga, DRC. This paradigm, which is shared across many ethnic groups (under varying names such as Ubuntu, Gimuntu, Bomoto) gives voice to an African vision of genuine humanity in which to be human is to recognize the sacredness and inviolable dignity of human beings.2 This paper will present the preliminary findings of research conducted in Kamina, DRC. Specifically drawing from proverbs as well as preliminary interviews, this paper will argue that concepts of peace and humanness from the Congolese cultural context offer important alternate pathways for understanding violence and thus peace-building.