Congolese Ambassador speaks at 3rd annual ‘We Remember Ota Benga’ Ceremony

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) — On Sunday, March 18, the Ambassador of the Republic of the Congo was in Lynchburg today to memorialize Ota Benga. He was a Congolese African man who was brought to America to be exhibited at the St. Louis World’s Fair and Bronx Zoo.

With the work of activists, he was later freed and brought to Lynchburg where he lived in the 1910’s. Being unable to return home, he later took his life in 1916, and his funeral was held at the diamond hill baptist church.

Sunday, Lynchburg residents and overseas diplomats gathered at the Jackson Street United Methodist Church to remember him and what he represents to the community and the country overseas.

The ceremony included the “Call of the Molimo,” songs, west African dancing, and more to celebrate the life of Ota Benga, his story reaching far corners of the world.

Army Captain, social media influencer uses her experience to inspire younger generation

“He’s important because of being the person he was and what he went through, and the horrible dehumanization and everything that happened to him. But he is also important because he can teach us to be better versions of ourselves so nothing like that can happen again,” said Dr. Myra Gordon, the vice-chair and spokesperson for the International Ota Benga Memorial Committee.

Benga is no longer just a face in American history, but his story is also shared in the Congo.

“Ota Benga was one of us and here you are treating him like he’s one of yours, so there’s a lot of connection between the African and the African American. We are one people,” said Congolese ambassador, Marie-Hélène Mathey Boo Lowumba.

The Congolese ambassador spoke at the ceremony about the importance of Benga’s story, while also using the event to spread awareness of stories she said are similar in the Congo today.

‘They tried to stop the Black man from singing in the cotton fields:’ Roots of blues in Louisiana

“People are dying every day, women are being violated, children are being killed — and we keep calling it the forgotten genocide,” the Congolese ambassador said.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Didier Gondola, a professor of history at Johns Hopkins University.
He shared the challenges and importance of his work of restitution, identifying pillaged Congolese artifacts and art at the African museum in Belgium and working to bring them back to the Congo.

“Post-George Floyd era, there’s is now a growing demand of African heritage to go back to Africa, especially pieces that were looted, they were illegally obtained,“ said Dr. Gondola.

He also shared the meaning and significance behind the artifacts.

The International Ota Benga Memorial Committee told WFXR that they are actively discussing how, when, or even if they should bring the remains of Benga back to his homeland. They’re working with the Congolese Society as well.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.