Central African Republic Independence Day: What Corruption and Civil War Has Disrupted
Aug 12, 2021 11:00AM ● By Oga Africa
(Central African Refugees. Image by the UNHCR/B. Hegens via Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/101268966@N04/10575075076 )
Happy Independence Day, Central African Republic (CAR). On August 13th, 1960, this central African country gained independence from France. Today we explore the country’s people and culture, and how they have been affected by the ongoing armed conflict.
Last year, for CAR independence day, we explored the events leading up to CAR’s current civil war. Today, CAR is still in a devastating conflict. We are delving into the country’s culture to shed light on the humanity and lifestyles of the people that have been disrupted, to inspire readers to help in any way they can.
(Central African refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Image by E.U./Echo/M. Morzaria via Flickr)Kanda, a meatball dish made with pumpkin seeds, vegetables, and spices, and served with a side of rice, is the national dish of the country. In July of this year, the United Nations reported that over 800,000 youth below the age of 5 in the Central African Republic were at risk of severe malnutrition. The UN World Food Programme estimated that in May of this year, 47% of the population were experiencing food insecurity and that ⅓ of the population were in a severe food crisis.
The Gbaya, also known as the Baya, are the largest ethnic group in CAR. In 2004, Britannica estimated this tribe to comprise 33% of the population. The Baya migrated to present-day CAR, formerly known as Ubangi-Shari, in the 1800s from Cameroon while fleeing a holy war, and to avoid being captured by the Fulani slave raids. This group usually does farming jobs and grows food like groundnuts, tobacco, maize, cassava, and yams.
(Central African refugees fleeing. Image by UNHCR/B. Hegen via Flickr)
The Banda tribe is the second-largest ethnic group in the country, and have meticulous wooden craftsmen who carve the historical and cultural history of the culture. Traditionally, this group only designates chiefs in dire circumstances. The Sara people, who were 10% of CAR’s population in 2004, live in the northeast of the country. This tribe does a coming-of-age ritual for young men, which includes two months of trials that put the participants through hardship, and includes body scarification. Other tribes include Mandjia, Mbum, and the Ngbaka. French and Sango are the country’s official languages.
Central Africans have faced immense hardship during this time. World Vision reports that over 1.1 million Central Africans have been internally or externally displaced.
Learn more about how you can help here.
Works Cited
https://nalrc.indiana.edu/doc/brochures/gbaya.pdf
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sara
https://www.196flavors.com/central-african-republic-kanda/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Banda-people
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sango-language
https://www.worldvision.ca/stories/disaster-relief/central-african-republic-conflict-fast-facts
https://www.britannica.com/place/Central-African-Republic/Ethnic-groups
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