Meet the Chikudu, Congo’s Creative DIY Wheels
Emanuel Buke won’t train just anyone. Like a swami on a mountaintop, he is discerning about his disciples. For the past 16 years he…
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The new thing in resource-fueled conflict: cows
Here’s a story I reported during my trip to Goma, about which I know I owe you all lusciously interesting tidbits. I’ll try to…
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Congo’s Conflict-Fueling Cattle
GOMA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO — For years, African militias have used proceeds from precious natural resources to fund conflicts – a practice dramatized…
Read MoreMbabarira, or, my heart hurts
I have a slew of things to post from Congo, but right now, indulge me, from Kigali. Mbabarira is Kinyarwanda for “Forgive me,” which…
Read MoreOf beauty queens and waterfalls
This was meant to be a post a few days ago, but I accidentally put it up as a page. I blame Congo. Two…
Read MoreOf palettes and poverty
My colleague and I could think of very few things in the world that could possibly be as interesting as the National Museum of…
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A Sierra Leonean Designer Redefines African Couture
If she were still in New York or Paris – anywhere but here, really – Adama Kargbo would be wearing striped socks that reach…
Read MoreWhat Congo has that America doesn’t
On my taxi ride to the border, my Congolese driver asked me how the Democratic Republic of Congo compares to America. The dichotomy struck…
Read MoreSweat equity
Near Kinshasa’s biggest airport, I happened to catch sight of what might be its only train. It makes the blue metal boxes clanking through…
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All Things Must Fight To Live
In Congo brutality seems to be everywhere: history, war, politics; in the landscape and the poverty and the desperate chug of locals’ day-to-day lives….
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