Contribution to Peace and Understanding in the Region
I. Background
As a result of the continuous unrest in Eastern DRC, caused in part by rebellions originating from Rwanda, a strong resentment now exits between DRC citizens and Rwandans. It is common to register complaints from Rwandan authorities pointing to discrimination against Kinyarwanda (Rwanda language) speakers in the DRC. Some bloggers in Rwanda go as far as suggesting that Eastern DRC is culturally closer to Rwanda and should be part of this latter. Is there any truth to those claims? How far apart are the languages spoken in Rwanda and DRC? Could a common heritage between the languages spoken in both countries suggest a more unified population than presented by politicians?
This post, from an Engineer who is not a linguist, examines some striking similitudes between Kinyarwanda and Kikongo languages, spoken respectively in Rwanda and Western DR Congo. The piece is not intended to be a comprehensive and comparative study of both languages but a glimpse of the common heritage in both communication vehicles. The choice of a Western DRC language is intentional and aims to support wider links not only with the Eastern DRC but also with Western DRC. In highlighting those similarities, the author hopes to contribute to a better understanding between our people and put to rest false claims and perceptions from the enemies of peace in both countries and in the Great Lakes region in general.
II. Brief Comparison
The survey of similitudes between Kikongo(KKG) and Kinyarwanda (KYR) will look into a few words (Table 1), the rules of formation of the plural of nouns (Table 2) as well as numbering (Table 3) accompanied by french (FRE) and english (ENG) translations.
Table 1: Comparison of words and verbs
ENG FRE KYR KKG
To eat Manger Kurya Kudia
Tongue Langue Indimi Ludimi
Breasts Seins Amabere Mabele
Bad Mal Amabi Mbi
Human Humain Umuntu Muntu
What Quoi Iki Inki
Money Argent Amafaranga Falanga (Mbongo)
To open Ouvrir Fungura Kangula
Clean(ed) Laver Usukurwa Sukula
To drink Boire Kunywa Kunwa
Water Eau Amazi Maza (Masa)
Oil Huile Amavuta Mafuta
Meat Viande Inyama Nyama
Onion Onion Ibitungura Ditungulu
Pineapple Anana Inanasi Nanasi
Doctor Docteur Umuganga Munganga
After Apres Nyuma Nima
Table 2: Examples of plural formation
ENG FRE KYR KKG
SINGULAR Child Enfant Umwana Mwana
PLURAL Children Enfants Abana Bana
SINGULAR Human Human Umuntu Muntu
PLURAL Humans Humains Abantu Bantu
Table 3: Numbering survey
ENG FRE KYR KKG
Three Trois Batatu Tatu
Five Cinq Batanu Tanu
Eight Huit Umunani Nana
Ten Dix Icumi Kumi
III. Conclusions
The brief survey, performed by a lay person, suggests a common heritage between Kinyarwanda and Kikongo languages. A common heritage between languages in Rwanda and Western DRC is an indication of closeness of those populations despite their apparent geographic distance.
In addition to the already known and emphasized cultural proximity to the people of Eastern Congo, this modest survey suggests much wider links and relations between the people of DR Congo and Rwanda. More comprehensive studies should be conducted to deepen the understanding of this proximity in languages and in other cultural aspects.
The political and military elite, the maffia and the enemies of peace between the people of those two countries should stop waging unnecessary wars and promote peace and tranquility instead. More than anything else, the populations of those neighbouring countries need peace to focus on their development and well being in their respective countries.
