How did our ancestors fight for democracy in the colonial period?
Democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights are bedrocks of resilient, inclusive, and peaceful societies. They underwrite freedom, advance sustainable development, and protect the dignity and rights of every person.
The 15th of September is International Day of Democracy. This day is an occasion to consider the significance of democracy and work to strengthen democratic institutions worldwide.
Interview with elder Marta Mainga
Grandma, good afternoon!
Good afternoon my daughter.
What's your name?
My name is Marta Mainga João.
Grandma, how old are you?
I no longer remember what my correct age is.
Please tell us a little about what life was like during the colonist’s time.
Life in the colonist's time, when we still lived with our ancestors, was very cruel.
We were all forced to go out to the fields to work. Husbands had to go out and we wives had to go out too, we left the little children starving at home. Then our little children also started to be forced to go out to work, our houses were kept closed.
When we woke up later, we realized that we were being used and enslaved without any reward.
When we tried to complain about fatigue and excesses, we were beaten, punished and put down. We were going through a lot of injustice. They forced us to walk long distances and had no right to rest, if we tried to complain we were punished.
If God said, by the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, why for these white people we work without rest, we are enslaved without receiving any reward?
So we started to protest against the whites, we started to expel them so that they could return to their land and leave us in peace with our Africa, our land.
We, all the slaves, came together to kill and drive away the white people, because it wasn't fair that they were using us and enslaving us on our land without paying us anything.
Some white people fled, others showed resistance and continued to enslave us. So we went out with machetes in hand to fight them.
We must work with the will and gift that God gave us and consequently reap the fruits of our hard work. But white people didn't want our happiness. We were forced to work, beating us up with whips, and they didn't pay us anything. They made us slaves and tortured us, for them men and women, children and the elderly were all equal. They didn't feel sorry for anyone.
Was it very painful to live in that era?
Yes, it was very difficult.
We took up machetes to expel the white people from our land, they began to flee by plane. We picked up rocks and started throwing them at the plane, one of the planes crashed...
We grabbed some white people, one of them couldn't escape and stayed in the way because he was badly injured, the other white man we sent to zaire.
We used to sing it: If this land is truly ours, then you white people must leave our land, so that we can have peace. They always used firearms to kill us.
We had no weapons, but with machetes and stones in our hands, we drove all the white people away from our land.
Did you fight hard for democracy and achieve freedom?
Yes, we suffered a lot, at that time there was no democracy.
God said, by the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, but white people wanted to enrich themselves at our expense.
Can the empty bag stand upright? It cannot.
So a person who works a lot without rest and without eating also has no strength to stand up.
White people have sinned a lot against us.
2023 Theme: Empowering the next generation
This year’s theme for the International Day of Democracy, “Empowering the next generation,” focuses on young people’s essential role in advancing democracy and ensuring that their voices are included in the decisions that have a profound impact on their world.
Democracy is a form of government in which the people have the ability to elect their leaders and make decisions regarding the administration of their country. It is founded upon the principles of liberty, equality, and fairness.
Young people are the current and future custodians of democracy
An engaged, well-educated electorate is at the heart of strong democratic societies. Creating an environment in which young people feel their voice counts is crucial.
Young people must navigate a world in which democracies are under threat from factors ranging from the proliferation of online mis- and disinformation, to rising populism, and the destabilizing effects of the climate crisis. It is important everyone is able to meaningfully participate in the decisions that affect their lives now, and in years to come.
Unresolved conflicts, the rising threat of climate change and financial turmoil pose a constant threat to democracies around the world. “The walls are closing in on civic spaces,” warns United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on the International Day of Democracy.
In his message marking the day, the UN chief blames the current spread of mis- and disinformation that is “poisoning public discourse, polarizing communities, and eroding trust in institutions”.
Given the damaging effect that this flood of false information can have on young people, this year's International Day of Democracy is dedicated to "Empowering the Next Generation" by focusing on the critical role of children and youngsters in ensuring democracy “today and in the future.”
Climate justice and democracy
The effects of the climate crisis on the physical environment are today impossible to ignore, and it is becoming increasingly apparent that it is a challenge to democracy: growing food insecurity, migration, water scarcity, and extreme weather events are driving conflict and weighing on the minds of voters.
Young people around the world have shown that they are extremely concerned about the climate crisis; in recent years hundreds of thousands of school age children, frustrated by the pace of negotiations to cut fossil fuel emissions, have taken part in large-scale marches, strikes, and protests.
Calls for climate justice have also been a feature of these demonstrations: young people realize that they are likely to suffer the consequences of an increasingly unstable climate, caused by the activities of earlier generations.
The United Nations recognizes the importance of empowering young people to take leadership roles on issues of international importance; the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth convenes the Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals, a group of 17 changemakers whose leadership is catalyzing the achievement of the SDGs, and the Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change ensures that the Secretary-General hears directly from young climate activists, who can share strategies for advancing climate action.
The UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF) finances projects that empower civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes, including youth.
Democracy is a form of government in which the people have the ability to elect their leaders and make decisions regarding the administration of their country. It is founded upon the principles of liberty, equality, and fairness.
The democratic system is a fragile institution. To uphold democratic principles necessitates the active participation of citizens and the commitment of leaders. Corruption, inequality, and authoritarian regimes are among the numerous hazards to democracy.
Despite these obstacles, democracy continues to be an indispensable institution for advancing peace, prosperity, and human rights. Democratic nations are more likely to be tranquil and stable, and their economic performance and human development tend to be superior.
What Is International Democracy Day’s Background?
The United Nations General Assembly established this day in 2007 through a resolution titled “Support by the United Nations system to the endeavors of Governments to promote and consolidate new or restored democracies.”
The resolution was unanimously approved, demonstrating the global commitment to democracy. It acknowledges the importance of democracy in promoting peace, prosperity, and human liberties.
The 15th of September was designated to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Democracy. The Universal Declaration of Democracy is a seminal document that establishes the fundamental principles of democracy.
In the summary, the UN notes that the resolution “recognizes the Organization’s important role in providing timely, appropriate, and coherent support to the efforts of governments to accomplish democratization in the context of their development efforts.”
SDG 16 is a global effort to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels”. Strengthening the focus on democracy and the rule of law is essential to achieving SDG 16 and the implementation of the whole agenda.
The International Day for People of African Descent was celebrated for the first time on 31 August 2021.
On this International Day for People of African Descent, we celebrate their extraordinary cultural richness and diversity and pay tribute to the enormous contribution they have made to the development of our societies throughout history. We also remember those of African descent who came before us, heroes of resistance to slavery and violations that continued with impunity for centuries.
Today, we raise our voices against systemic racism, against unpunished human rights violations, including killings, committed by law enforcement. We demand justice. We oppose colonial structures of power and wealth distribution that are even more intolerable and unsustainable in these times of health, economic and ecological crises.
"My years in Russia" - Non-fictional story based on the real life of Sofonie Dala
Hello everybody! I'm Sofonie Dala, today we're going to talk about the international day of people of African descent, a date that is celebrated on August 31st annually.
This holiday was created by the United Nations to celebrate the diverse heritage and several contributions of people of African descent.
Today, as part of a single human family, we recognise the urgency of eradicating once and for all the stigmas and prejudices based on unfounded ideas of racial superiority that continue to cause suffering to millions of people of African descent around the world.
Well, I'm going to tell you my personal story, about what my life was like in Russia and what it's like to be black in Russia.
I lived in Russia for 10 years, I went to Russia in 2005 when I was 13 years old. I went there to study.
At first I felt very embarrassed and uncomfortable because I noticed that people looked at me a lot, they hunted me with their eyes, women also fixed their eyes on me a lot.
And I didn't understand why everyone was looking at me. I asked myself, these people look so much, what's going on?
People everywhere greeted me as if they were in front of a famous person, some were happy to see me, others were terrified and afraid.
Over time I realized that people looked at me because of my skin. I first lived for a while in a city where I was the only black person, and it was a terrible thing for years.
Yes, there was racism.
There is a lot of racism in Russia, but there is also racism in any part of the world, including here in Africa we also have nationalism.
I lived and suffered a lot of racism and prejudice in Russia, where even going out on the street was chaos. I had to think twice before going out without urgent reasons. But even so, I didn't give up, I managed to achieve my goals, I finished my studies, I have a master's degree.
In my student days I was a very outstanding student. In 2012 I was the first black woman and the first African to present the "Navruz party", it is a central Asian party of the republics that are within Russia. With this I opened doors for many Africans, after me many other Africans were invited to present these events.
We excelled a lot in Russia, we celebrated our African festivals and our countries' independence days. We sang and danced, we shared our African cultures.
Nowadays many Russians are familiar with our culture. They really like our semba and kizomba dance. You can find many dance schools opened by Russians, where they teach how to dance semba and kizomba.
I stood out a lot and took advantage of every occasion and opportunity to show our culture. I'm going to show you some moments of what happened in Russia.
Sofonie Dala being interviewed by the Russian press on Africa Day in 2013
Today is May 25th, African Liberation Day, as it is such an important day for us, so we decided to celebrate. We are not only celebrating here in Russia, but in Africa people are also celebrating.
This is my African costume, I brought it from Angola, because I am Angolan and this is our national African costume.
Today, all African students in this city are dressed in national costumes to represent our culture here in European countries so that everyone knows how we love our culture, and how proud we are to be African.
In our homes in Africa, we all get together as families and spend time together, we decorate the streets and sit outside, we eat and paint everything very beautifully, with African beads and bussis. We also use to paint our faces at carnivals, we do our African rituals. We rest on these commemorative dates in Africa, because they are very important days to us.
Sofonie Dala directly supports the realisation of the UN's SDGs, particularly:
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – By promoting social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of race, ethnicity, or national origin.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – By fostering a culture of tolerance, non-discrimination, and respect for human rights.
SDG 4: Quality Education – By raising awareness about the importance of education in challenging stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination.
It was on a day like today, August 31, in 1920, that the first declaration of the rights of people of African descent was adopted in New York. Commemorating this historic event, in 2020 the General Assembly, under the initiative of Costa Rica, declared this as the International Day for People of African Descent. International day celebrations invite governments, civil society, the public and private sectors, schools and universities, and citizens of the world to reflect on values that unite humanity and to take concrete actions to advance them.
International days reflect the values that society shares. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and have the potential to contribute constructively to the development and well-being of their societies. Any doctrine of racial superiority is scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust, and dangerous and must be rejected, together with theories that attempt to determine the existence of separate human races.
The United Nations strongly condemns the continuing violent practices and excessive use of force by law enforcement agencies against Africans and people of African descent and condemns structural racism in criminal justice systems around the world. The Organization further acknowledges the Transatlantic Slave Trade as one of the darkest chapters in our human history and upholds human dignity and equality for the victims of slavery, the slave trade and colonialism, in particular people of African descent in the African diaspora.
What is this approach?
The targets of SDG 10 focus our efforts on reducing income inequality, promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, taking systemic action to ensure equal opportunity and to reduce inequalities of outcome, supporting safe and responsible migration, and ensuring a greater role for developing countries in our global community. The SDGs are also grounded in the principle of “leave no one behind” (LNOB), which acknowledges that progress has often come at the expense of marginalized groups through colonization, discrimination and exclusion. Despite the global commitment to SDG 10, inequality is on the rise and is driving persistent poverty, conflict, polarization and environmental degradation.
This article takes as its starting point an understanding of challenges and adapting processes faced by indigenous people of Angola, scattered in Luanda city.
Mwila or Mumuila people are a cluster of semi-nomadic ethnic group living in southern Angola, in the area of Huila. Mwila people actually belongs to the larger Nyaneka-Khumbi (Nhaneka-Humbe) amalgamated ethnic inhabiting the Haumpata Plateau and along the headwaters of Rio Caculovar in South Western Angola in Huila Planato or Huila Province, the province that takes it name from the people.
Mumuílas are hardworking and charming women, who as a natural aesthetic expose their breasts, and use very colorful necklaces and fabrics.
These women are cattle breeders and it is from them that they get their source of income, where in addition to this business, they are also known for marketing natural teas, mupeke oil and ngundi to nourish the hair (oil manufactured by them manually), a dark oil, with a strong burning odor, which is extracted by adult women from a fruit of a typical shrub of the region (the Mupeque) of Namibe, which is used in the treatment of hair and also skin.
The Mumuilas generally do not bathe with water, for them the ritual of bathing with cow's milk and manure is normal, ingredients that they use to iron their hair so that they have an exotic appearance, which for them is summarized in the conquest of their man. With imposing naked breasts, necklaces and colorful fabrics, this is how mumuíla women show themselves, whether in their tribe or in the middle of the metropolis.
INTERVIEW - A CHANCE ENCOUNTER
For how much did you sell me the oil?
I sold you for 200 kwanzas.
I want for 250 kwanzas, add a little more.
All right.
Now it's your turn, also put 250 kwanzas.
Alright.
What is the name of your province?
We are from Bibala and Lubango.
Did you come to Luanda to sell oil?
Yep.
How's the sale going? Is it hard?
Yes, it is very difficult, we are not profiting anything, people do not buy oil from us.
Where do you live here in Luanda?
In Bem-fica (well-stays)
Can I look for you at Bem-fica any day?Yes, you can visit us.OK.You said you're expecting a baby?Yes, I'm pregnant.How many months?I am 3 months pregnant.Okay, thank you very much.Thank you.What's your name again?My name is Cristina.
Nice to meet you.
Kisses, bye!
Poverty, food shortages, wars, political conflicts and natural disasters force Mumuilas to migrate to the country's capital.
Among Angolans, many are unaware of their real culture and especially their history and this people are often rejected by society, because it is seen as a tribe with habits that do not match life in more modern societies. In Luanda, these women attract a lot of attention when they walk the streets. Many still react strangely, but there are also those who praise them.
Nowadays and as a way of adapting to the cities, some mummies choose to wear a blouse or dress and thus avoid harassment, sexual abuse and unpleasant comments, regarding their semi-nudity.
Urgent action needed
Lately, we have been reading and listening to several complaints about sexual harassment, rape and other negative acts committed by tourists against the Mwilas.
They are usually young adolescents who due to poverty end up receiving money from tourists who transmit the HIV virus to them through temporary sexual involvement or even through sexual rape against their will.
Recently a group of Mumuila women were taken to a hospital, and unfortunately all of them tested positive for HIV. And the virus has been spreading little by little in those communities. Alerts and urgent actions must be taken to prevent the spread of the virus that could wipe out the tribe.
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