Under the trees, on the banks of the majestic River Congo: open air dramas bring the Scriptures to ex-combatants

Adapted from a report by Etienne Diatha, Executive Secretary of the Bible Society in Congo

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo — Peace has only recently come to the people of the Republic of Congo, who have been subjected to political instability and outbreaks of civil war for the past 10 years. With the signing of a ceasefire agreement by rebel militias, known as Ninjas, and government forces in March 2003, the Congolese people are filled with hope for a lasting and fruitful peace.

The years of war have left many problems, however, including a battered economy where inflation is between 100 and 300 per cent. One of the government’s most pressing concerns is how to reintegrate the disarmed ex-rebels and ex-combatants into society – a key issue if a lasting peace is indeed to be achieved.

ex-Ninjas

Through the High Commission of Civic and Moral Education, the government is providing ex-Ninjas with food as well as education to help them prepare for life in civilian society. Realising the importance of attending to the men’s spiritual as well as physical needs, the High Commission asked the Bible Society in late 2002 to partner it in this work – something the Society responded to with enthusiasm.

“This was our first experience of an holistic program,” says Etienne Diatha, Bible Society Executive Secretary. “Last Christmas, while the State provided the ex-combatants with food for the body and re-education for the mind, we distributed New Testaments with Psalms, accompanied by the Scripture Portion, Levons-Nous et Rebâtissons [‘Rise Up and Rebuild’], which is taken from the Book of Nehemiah. [See Latest News #228]

“For many of these young people, this was a joyful and special Christmas, and many committed themselves to Christ. During the Christmas distribution, Marie Thérèse Moutinou, our representative at the ceremony, had the chance to speak to some of the ex-Ninjas, who told her that they had organised themselves into small groups with names such as ‘Finie la Guerre’ [War is Over], ‘La Volonté’ [Willpower], and ‘Nouveauté de Vie’ [New Life].”

Impressed

The enthusiasm of these ex-combatants to follow the Christian message in their new lives impressed the Bible Society. Wanting to find a way of expanding its work among the ex-Ninjas, it formed a committee of volunteers. Among them was Hélène Bonda, a professional actress. Recognising that drama could be a very effective way to communicate Bible stories, the Society asked Ms Bonda to write a script based on Scriptures about peace.

“Once the script was written in French, it became apparent that half the ex-combatants could only fully understand their first language, Laari,” says Mr Diatha. “So work began on producing audio versions of these Scriptures in Laari, drawing extensively on the Laari Bible translation work being undertaken by the Catholic Church. This was very intense work indeed.”

Ms Bonda and a team of actresses began rehearsals as soon as the final Laari script was available. After two postponements, April 5 was set as the date for the performance.

“The whole Bible Society staff was mobilised to help with the play,” recalled Mr Diatha. “It took place beneath the open sky, under the trees, just 50 metres from the majestic River Congo. The performance opened with a choir of ex-Ninjas, who sang three hymns about peace and prayed that it would last indefinitely.”

War is over

The main performance opened with a short play called ‘Nzingu wu wiidi’ (War is Over), followed by four other short plays, also named after the groups formed by the ex-Ninjas. Each play carried a biblical message about peace.
Mr Diatha described the “emotion, wonder and appreciation” of the audience who applauded loudly after each play.

“One of the plays that most moved the audience was one showing the rape of Tamar, which, sadly, several people in the audience could relate to only too well. The performance ended with a hymn about the Prince of Peace, who has made us artisans of peace, and ministers of reconciliation.”

The Society made a video of the performance, which it plans to distribute in parishes around the country. It particularly hopes that it will be shown to young people.