Isidore Bakanja: Episode Four
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What historical context sets the stage for Isidore Bakanja’s story?
The Belgian Congo nineteen oh nine Word of Isidore's suffering ripples through the camp, stirring up courage where fear once ruled. Abandoned in a shed with open wounds, the young man does not give up hope.
The Saints. Adventures of faith and courage. Isidore Bakanja, Episode 4, The Shed. Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at the Saintspodcast dot com.
Counsel, call your witness. The prosecution recalls Mosai Kiala. Monsieur Kiala. We have heard about the beating Monsieur Van Cortier ordered for Isidor Bacanja. Please tell the court what happened next. They wouldn't get easy to help. They hid him away where no one could see him. They didn't want questions. Where did they put Isidore? In a metal shed. It was small with no light, only cracks. To the place for rubbish and broken tools. Go on then. Pick him up. Put him in the shed. Easy. Easy. We've got you as a door. Hold on. He's sleeping. Yeah. Yeah. Is it dumb? Can you hear me? I hear you, Giala. Don't talk. Save your breath. Water. We'll bring water. We will. When the door shut. It felt like all of us were shutting this together.
Every man saw it. And couldn't stop it. Were you allowed to visit him? No. But you learn how to move quietly in a place like that. You learn. How not to get caught. At night. When our work was done. Fear hung heavier in the camp. Quick. Is it all? Yala. We brought water. Oh! Thank you. How bad is it? We can get you out. No. They'll punish you. They'll punish us anyway. Then don't give them another reason. Not them. Him. Van Kota is just another man. A man who forgot he has a soul. We have to go. Is it all? Listen. If he comes back. Take off this capula.
How does the prosecution describe Isidore’s abandonment in the metal shed?
Please. Or we will die in this shed. Then I will die. My promise intact. And my holy mother will take me right to my saviour in heaven. How did seeing him like that affect you? And the rest of the work camp. Men started speaking to each other again. Not about work. About being men. Some even learned to pray. All because of how strong Isidor was. How was he strong? He refused to fall into hatred. He wasn't begging for their mercy. He was Steady. And when a man stays steady in a place like that, It wakes something up in other men. It inspires the spirits of the men around him. Tokende bandico. Susprende valembe. Maboko na ma boco lo salaboko. How is he? Alive Yongo. Praying as always. It's the only thing they can't take from him.
No talking. Work. He'll punish us if we gather. Then don't gather. Just Remember. Yeah, maybe. Love Grace. Isidore didn't lead meetings. We didn't make speeches. He just endured peacefully. That peace did something the whip could not. It made us feel ashamed of our fear. Then forgive us for it.
Did Van Coteel notice a change? Yes. He started walking the lines more. Listening. Like he could hear something he could not see. Did he ask about Isidore? We didn't ask. Be checked. Like you check on a fire you thought you put out. No further questions. Your turn, Monsieur Delacroix. Monsieur Kiala, you want this court to believe the camp became inspired? I want you to understand what happened. Your friend refused orders and paid the price, and you call that noble. I'm saying what happened. Men whispering. Men praying. Men remembering. That sounds like a riot in the making. It was not a riot. We were just trying to hold on to ourselves. You speak as if Monsieur Van Cotter had no authority over you. Authority is not the same as cruelty.
So who decides who has authority? God decides. God decides. How convenient. No more questions. The witness may step down. The prosecution calls Tamba Yongo. State your name and occupation. Tamba Eyango. Libera. Monsieur Yongo, did you visit Isidore in the shed? Yes. Why did you take such a risk? Someone had to be with him. With him for what? For the dying part of the And for the living part. Describe what you found the first time you saw him there. He was lying on the ground. Like a wounded animal. No bid. No cloth under him. Just dump earth in mud. He's Back. Was Open. Was he awake? In and out. His eyes. When they open Clear. Clear. Like he recognized me. Like he was not lost in the pain.
I thought I would find him begging for help.
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