Status of Bad Memories: The Survivor of Oppression in the Darkest War of Democratic Republic of the Congo

By Jonathan Butoto

His book Status of Bad Memories was written just after the tragedy that happened in Democratic Republic of Congo in 1996 until 2004. He was shocked at the way he and other people from his tribe were marginalized and was horrified that they were being killed by other tribes from Congo and Interahamwe extremist groups from the neighboring country of Rwanda. This book delivers a true account of what happened during the civil war in Congo. Many people died, and Gabby survived the tragedy. With this book, he is thanking Americans and all people who contributed to the protection of his life and family from the hands of killers.

He says that there is something inside his heart. The tragedy was caused by the war that happened in DRC. During that time, tears were everywhere in the country. People have been hunted as if they were wild animals. He saw this tragedy with his two eyes. He could stand in a hidden place to see what was happening. Women and children were also killed. His brothers and sisters became homeless. They are now wandering everywhere in the world. Killing a person was no longer a sin but a game to some tribes in Congo. This book is a mediator, a bridge to make Congo a holy place to live in and remind new generation that Congo deserves development instead of having killings, quarrels, and instability.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 19, 2016
• ISBN: 9781514475782

Jonathan Butoto

Butoto Jonathan Gabby was born in the Republic Democratic of Congo in 1989 in the territory of Fizi in the small village of Bubembe. He went to Action Kusaidia and Abraham Lincoln for his primary and high school studies. He continued his studies in the United States of America, where he earned his AAS degree in automotive technology from Indian Hills College. He is a serious man who wants to see changes in his home country Congo. He really wants to tell a story about his own life. He believes that readers of this book will be interested in his unique voice as an author just because this book is talking about bad life that he passed through during the war in Republic Democratic of Congo. He is trying to remind the world that he faced a lot of problems during the war. He really wants to reveal the untold story about crimes in his home country Congo. Tears and injuries from his heart made him take his pen just to remind other tribes from Congo that people from Banyamulenge tribe are also Congolese and they deserve peace and security and the right to live in their mother country.

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Copyright © 2016 by Jonathan Butoto.

Library of Congress Control Number:      2016904419

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5144-7580-5

      Softcover      978-1-5144-7579-9

      eBook      978-1-5144-7578-2

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

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without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

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Rev. date: 03/19/2016

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CONTENTS

Preface

Born In The Absence Of My Father

Something Inside My Heart

Living As A Young Soldier

My Life On The Streets

Tears At Nganja Village

The Darkest Secret Of The War

My Life In Prison

The Loss Of A Beloved Uncle

Voice Of The Voiceless

The Moment Of Silence

The Outbreak Of Killings

The Missing Strength In My Motherland

Life Expectancy In DR Congo

Anxiety About The Future Of The Nation

Thunderstorm Of My Motherland

Unforgettable Sounds Of Our Tradition

Where Is My Tradition?

Home Of Sorrow And Tears

Who Will Stop The Heavy Rain?

Change We Need In DRC

Adaption To A New World Culture (USA)

Born Without Your Choice

Glossary

DEDICATION

This memoir would certainly not exist without you, who encouraged me to follow my dreams by allowing me to express freedom of thought and expression. I often take for granted the fact that the possibility of bringing the book to life won’t be accomplished without you.

I am dedicating this book to all those who suffered oppression during the Great African War, without ever forgetting those socially marginalized groups around the world. I dedicate this book to my mother, Rozi Gapingi, who inspired me in every aspect of my life; my uncle Isaac Gapingi; and my sister Esperance Bukuru. You all have been pillars of support, guidance, and love in my life since the day I was born.

I also thank my friends all over the world for the variety of support shown, especially those who supported me morally and financially.

I also dedicate this book to the American people, who hosted me in their motherland. I truly cannot thank you enough; you have been the protection I needed to remain stable in times of instability and oppression. I made it this far in my life because of my God and you Americans, and I will go even further in the future.

Special thanks to my advisor, Augustin Ndayizeye, who has been with me all throughout the writing of this book.

In loving memory of my very generous deceased grandparents, Burahim Gapingi and Roda Nakirayi, who inspired me to be who I am today, and my uncle Rugoyera Gapingi, who helped me cross the river during the deadly wars, his influence in me still stronger. Without forgetting Gatumba refugee camp survivors with those loved one who lost their lives, I’m dedicating this book to you. Your memory will be with me always.

PREFACE

Butoto, Jonathan Gabby was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1989 in the territory of Fizi, in the small village of Bubembe. He went to Action Kusaidia and Abraham Lincoln for his primary and high school studies. He continued his studies in the United States of America, where he earned his AAS degree in automotive technology from the Indian Hills Community College.

His book Status of Bad Memories was written just after the tragedy that happened in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1996 until 2004. He was shocked at the way he and other people from his tribe were marginalized and was horrified that they were killed by other tribes from the Congo and by the Interahamwe from Rwanda. This book delivers a true account of what happened during the civil war in the Congo. Many people died, and Gabby survived the tragedy. With this book, he is thanking Americans and all people who contributed to the protection of his life and that of his family from the hands of killers.

Better Understanding Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

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Map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its surrounding areas

BORN IN THE ABSENCE OF MY FATHER

These are my unforgettable childhood memories while growing up in the countryside in a hamlet ranch in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Our childhood was interesting. We did not have big apartment buildings; our houses were traditional African grass huts. Most villagers drank water that was stored in clay pots, as we did not have a potable water supply. Also, due to lack of outdoor water plumbing, we had to fetch water from the river far away from the hamlet site. To take a bath, I had to go swimming in the river, as bucket baths were for grown people. It wasn’t easy, as the river was really cold, and I could not swim for four straight days a week.

Growing up on a cattle ranch, I always spent time with animals: cows, sheep, fighting bulls, peacocks, etc. I had no rifle to hunt with; all I had was a hunting dog. His name was Bobbi. He was given to me by my grandpa to protect me from dangerous animals and also to aid me in hunting wild animals, deer, hogs, reedbuck, etc.

Technology was far from us—the village was without power. There were no phone lines, but the residents still interacted with one another. For treatment, there was a drugstore where people could get medicine, although many people believed in traditional medicine. However, diseases and sickness were pretty rare back in the day.

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Views of childhood villages similar to this

We lived in empty spaces. There were thousands of acres of grassland without houses. People were fewer, and I could hear their voices from far away. I could also hear the sound of the wind blowing. However, I could not hear the national anthem, nor could I see the national flag hoisted up.

I had never seen my father before too.

These were three valuable things I missed growing up.

As a small boy, I began to realize very early on what it meant to become a good man. Of course, I had people all around me to tell me how to act, what to do with my time, what was right from wrong, but all these things could be very easy for a young boy to ignore, seeing how so many other boys could spend their time getting into trouble to have what they thought was fun.

Trouble never really looked all that fun to me, though. It just looked like … trouble. I had other ways to catch some fun as a boy, like playing games, running and climbing, spending time with my family and friends, etc. I loved to tell jokes too. And dance. I was happy doing anything that would make others smile or laugh.

I saw that there were other children who got picked on just because they were different in some way. Maybe they were too big or too small. Maybe they spoke a little differently. Maybe they were sick. I could not understand why these children got teased or bullied just because they were different. I would go and stick up for them, be their defender, even though I wasn’t all that big myself. The bully’s size didn’t matter to me; I would try to talk him out of being a bully for the day. I ended up making a lot of very good friends that way. I was friends with the kids who were different and the kids who were not so different. I even made friends with a bully or two eventually. I liked everyone.

Yes, I had people to guide me. I was given directions every day. I