Isidore Bakanja: Episode Three
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What historical setting introduces Isidore Bakanja’s story?
The Belgian Congo, 1909. Tensions are rising in the rubber plantation's work camp. Isidore refuses to take off his scapular, and Van Cotter sees this personal devotion as a threat to his power and authority over the workers, a threat that cannot be tolerated.
The Saints, Adventures of Faith and Courage. Isidore Bacanja. Episode 3, The Cost of Witness. Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at thesaintspodcast.com.
The prosecution recalls Mosai Kiala, Your Honor.
How does Van Cotter react when Isidore refuses to remove his scapular?
Monsieur Chiala, yesterday you described the moment Isidore refused to remove the scapular. Yes. Please, continue the story from there. It wasn't one big thing after that. There were small things. Like the camp itself got sharper. Sharper? People spoke less, laughed less. Even when the sun was out, it felt like rain was coming. And Van Gutter? He started watching Isidore like a lion watches its prey.
We woke every day before the light. Some men prayed, some men stared into nothing. You hear? Van Gutter's out early. He's always out early now. Did you men sleep? Not really. Then breathe. Just breathe. You have today. That is something. Are you still praying, Isador? Always. Does it help? It helps me remember I'm not just a rubber plantation worker and that I'm never alone. That's what Van Cote hated. He hated that reminder more than the words, more than the scapula itself. Holy Mary. You're doing it again. I'm breathing. You know what I mean. I do. He's watching. It's okay, Keala. Is he too? Musai, if I stop praying because he's watching, then I love myself more than God. And if he decides to make an example of you?
What testimony does Mosai Kiala give at the colonial court?
Then Jesus and Mother Mary will be with me. That's no comfort to me. But it is to me. Did you try to convince Isidore to remove the scapular? Many times. Why? I wanted him to live. And he responded? Calmly, without hesitation. You're not seeing what I'm seeing. And what is that, my friend? I see men staring at you, like men. like you a story they can hold on to. Men need stories. Stories don't stop whips. But they can stop men from turning into animals. It is cloth, Isidore. A little piece of rope and two patches of cloth. It is cloth, but it carries a promise I made. I asked Jesus' mother to keep me close to him. If I take off my scapula out of fear, then my prayer was only empty words. But you could take it off only when Van Cote is nearby.
Put it back later, no one would know. I would know. So you'd rather die than bend? I'd rather die whole than live broken. You are not the only one who wants to live whole, Isidor. True. Then why make them watch you die? Someone must show them that a man can be afraid and still not surrender. Did you believe him? Yes. And it frightened you? Yes. Why? Because men like Van Cote don't fear loud men. They fear quiet men. Immovable men. Ave Maria! Enough! Bakanja! Yes, sir? You're doing it again. Doing what? Standing there with that thing over your shirt. Like you're untouchable. about the rules here. That is not my intention, Mr. Van Kota. You make the men look at you. I don't try to. Take it off. I can't. You won't. I can't. Your God will not stop my hand.
When Job suffered, he said, though he slay me, yet I will trust him. This is your last chance. I'm hurting no one. My work has not suffered. If I take off this scapula, I will break my sacred promise. I can't do that. Take him. Wait. Please, sir. Now. Please, sir. I beg you. Please. Don't. Please don't take him. Do not fight them. Is it all? It is all right, Musai. He didn't shout.
Why does Isidore keep praying despite the overseer’s threats?
He didn't spit. He didn't curse. Isidor walked like a man at peace. What happened next? They beat him. My boy! He was poisoning them! Order! Order! Monsieur Van Korter! Your Honor, my client! Control him, Counsel. Or I will. My apologies, Your Honor. Monsieur Keala, when they beat him, how did Isidor react? They beat him in front of all of us as a lesson to keep us compliant. At first, Isidore only breathed like he was trying to stay inside himself. And then? He prayed.
Holy Mary, Mother of God. Stop that! Pray for us sinners. Beg to work, all of you! Beg! I saw that Kote hesitated to give the order. Just for a breath, like the prayer reached somewhere he didn't want it to reach.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What historical setting introduces Isidore Bakanja’s story?
0:01–0:52
2
How does Van Cotter react when Isidore refuses to remove his scapular?
0:52–2:44
3
What testimony does Mosai Kiala give at the colonial court?
2:44–5:46
4
Why does Isidore keep praying despite the overseer’s threats?
5:46–12:02