Language and Ethnobotany

Democratic Republic ◽

Life Forms ◽

Folk Taxonomy ◽

African Languages ◽

Bantu Languages ◽

Noun Classes ◽

Plant Names ◽

Plant Habitat

This chapter deals with ethnobotany, folk taxonomy, and African languages. In its first part people’s structuring of the plant kingdom with particular reference to life forms, and generic and specific taxa is discussed. Reference is made to relevant folk taxonomic terms and plant names in Bantu languages from East Africa, especially Tanzania, Namibia, to some extent also from the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic. It is interesting to note that on top of widespread taxa like TREE or PLANT habitat-related life forms were traced in various languages such as CLIMBER, VINE in Vidunda or BUSH, SHRUB in Kwangali, and THORN TREE in Ndonga, as well as other specific taxa. In this respect sub-life forms were also recorded and examples given. The second part of the chapter focuses on folk conceptualization and the system of Bantu noun classes.

Accountability for Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by United Nations Peacekeepers: Case Studies of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic

10.1007/978-3-030-75953-7_6 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 139-170

Author(s):

Linda Mushoriwa ◽

Esther Njieassam ◽

Pierre T. Bata

Keyword(s):

United Nations ◽

Case Studies ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Sexual Exploitation ◽

Republic Of Congo

Living under a Fluctuating Climate and a Drying Congo Basin

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12072936 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 2936

Author(s):

Denis Jean Sonwa ◽

Mfochivé Oumarou Farikou ◽

Gapia Martial ◽

Fiyo Losembe Félix

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Water Cycle ◽

Slight Modification ◽

Forest Degradation ◽

Congo Basin ◽

Environmental Actions ◽

Equatorial Forest

Humid conditions and equatorial forest in the Congo Basin have allowed for the maintenance of significant biodiversity and carbon stock. The ecological services and products of this forest are of high importance, particularly for smallholders living in forest landscapes and watersheds. Unfortunately, in addition to deforestation and forest degradation, climate change/variability are impacting this region, including both forests and populations. We developed three case studies based on field observations in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as information from the literature. Our key findings are: (1) the forest-related water cycle of the Congo Basin is not stable, and is gradually changing; (2) climate change is impacting the water cycle of the basin; and, (3) the slow modification of the water cycle is affecting livelihoods in the Congo Basin. Developmental and environmental actions in the Congo Basin need to properly consider the slight modification of this water cycle in watersheds that affect products and services from the forest.

Missionary Contributions to Bantu Languages in Tanzania: James Thomas Last (1850–1933) and the Vidunda language

Historiographia Linguistica ◽

10.1075/hl.36.2-3.11leg ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 36 (2-3) ◽

pp. 393-406 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Karsten Legere

Keyword(s):

Noun Phrase ◽

Sole Source ◽

African Languages ◽

Bantu Languages ◽

Linguistic Data ◽

Noun Classes ◽

Lexical Items ◽

Set Up ◽

Insight Into

This paper deals with linguistic work by the lay missionary James Thomas Last (1850–1933), who was among the first Europeans to live up-country in what is now Tanzania. In the course of a seven-year stay he was exposed to African languages which have only partly been known outside Africa. Last collected linguistic data that culminated 1885 in the publication of the Polyglotta Africana Orientalis. This book is a collection of 210 lexical items and sentences elicited in or translated into 48 African languages, and supplemented by entries for some other languages. In order to demonstrate the relevance as well as the inconsistencies of this missionary’s contribution, special attention is paid to the book section on the Vidunda language currently spoken by approximately 10,000 people in Central Tanzania. It turns out that approximately 75 per cent of the Vidunda entries are still acceptable today. The data even provides insight into the grammatical set-up of Vidunda (e.g., the noun classes and constituents of the noun phrase). Less relevant are the verbal paradigms. In a nutshell, Last produced material which had for many years been the sole source of lexical and grammatical information about the Vidunda language.

Qualitative study of antibiotic prescription patterns and associated drivers in Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036530 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. e036530

Author(s):

Tonka Eibs ◽

Alena Koscalova ◽

Mohit Nair ◽

Paul Grohma ◽

Gisa Kohler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Democratic Republic ◽

Antibiotic Prescription ◽

Self Medication ◽

Project Staff ◽

Republic Of Congo ◽

Treatment Protocols ◽

Guinea Bissau ◽

Consumption Habits

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to address the knowledge gap regarding antibiotic use in Medecins Sans Frontiéres (MSF) projects located in Africa by exploring antibiotic prescription and consumption habits and their drivers at different healthcare levels.DesignThis study used an exploratory study design through thematic analysis of semistructured, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs) and field observations in order to understand the main drivers influencing current antibiotics prescription habits and consumption habits of patients in different geographical settings.SettingThe study took place in MSF centres and towns across four countries: Guinea-Bissau, Central African Republic (CAR), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan.Participants384 respondents participated in the study, which includes project staff, prescribers, community members, patients, among other groups.ResultsTreatment protocols were physically present in all countries except DRC, but compliance to protocols varied across contexts. A failing health system and barriers to accessing healthcare were perceived as major drivers of overuse and inconsistent prescription practices. Patient demands influenced prescription decisions, and self-medication was commonly reported in the context of failing health systems. Additionally, there was a strong demand for quick cures and communities preferred injections over pills. Patients tended to stop antibiotic treatment once symptoms abated and had major gaps in understanding antibiotic intake instructions and functions.ConclusionsWhile there were specific findings in each context, the larger trend from these four MSF projects in Africa indicates widespread use of antibiotics based on unclear assumptions, which are often influenced by patient demands. There needs to be a broader focus on the balance between access and excess, especially in such fragile contexts where access to healthcare is a real challenge.

The present-day Egyptian ivory trade

Oryx ◽

10.1046/j.1365-3008.2000.00105.x ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 101-108 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Esmond Martin

Keyword(s):

Latin America ◽

West Africa ◽

Member State ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Domestic Trade ◽

Import And Export ◽

Ivory Trade ◽

Egyptian Government

AbstractThere are probably more illegal ivory items for sale in Egypt than anywhere else in Africa. The author visited the main tourist centres of Cairo, Luxor and Aswan in late 1998 and counted over 21,000 ivory items for sale. Most of the ivory has come from elephants hunted illegally in Central and West Africa. Traders still transport the raw tusks, by truck and on camels, through Sudan across the desert into Egypt. Since the 1990 CITES ban on the international commercial ivory trade, Egypt, a member state, has prohibited not only the import and export of ivory but domestic trade as well. Ivory sales continue openly, however, in the markets and hotels, and new ivory items are still being made. The main buyers are from France, Italy, Spain and Latin America. The Egyptian Government must enforce its legislation against this ivory trade to reduce the serious elephant poaching in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan.

THREE NEW SPECIES OF CHASSALIA AND PSYCHOTRIA (RUBIACEAE) FROM CENTRAL AFRICA

Edinburgh Journal of Botany ◽

10.1017/s0960428610000077 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 67 (2) ◽

pp. 219-233 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

O. Lachenaud ◽

D. J. Harris

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Central Africa ◽

Corolla Tube ◽

Herbarium Specimens ◽

African Species ◽

Republic Of Congo ◽

Three New Species

Three new species of Rubiaceae from Central Africa are described and illustrated. Chassalia lutescens O.Lachenaud & D.J.Harris (widespread from Cameroon to Democratic Republic of Congo) is recognised inter alia by the T-shaped ventral furrow of the seeds and the orange-yellow discoloration of inflorescences in herbarium specimens. Psychotria nodiflora O.Lachenaud & D.J.Harris (Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville and Democratic Republic of Congo), belonging to Psychotria subgen. Psychotria sect. Involucratae, is unique among African species of the genus in having paired axillary inflorescences. Psychotria pteropus O.Lachenaud & D.J.Harris (Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo) belongs to Psychotria subgen. Tetramerae; it is closely related to P. leptophylla Hiern but differs in its narrow corolla tube and globose to ellipsoid fruits.

Vécu Des Enfants Soldats Pendant La Guerre: Une Analyse À Partir Des Projets De l’Organisation Non Gouvernemental Caritas Makeni En Sierra Léone

European Scientific Journal ESJ ◽

10.19044/esj.2017.v13n2p256 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 256

Author(s):

Gnamien Yawa Ossi

Keyword(s):

Sierra Leone ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Quantitative And Qualitative Methods

Child Soldiers ◽

Armed Conflicts ◽

Child Soldier ◽

Armed Groups ◽

Social Reintegration ◽

The phenomenon of «child soldier» has become very rampant these last years. In Africa, they are very common in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in Chad, in Uganda, in Sierra Leone, and in Côte d’Ivoire. More recently, they are in Mali and in the Central African Republic. However, armed conflicts have imposed various situations on populations. The children are the main victims. The focus of this study is on child soldiers during times of war. The main objective of this study is to analyze the ways they join the armed groups and the difficulties of their social reintegration. The objective of this study is to analyze the recruitment conditions of children and the difficulties of social reintegration. The hypothesis postulates that there is a link between the passage of the children in armed groups and their psychosocial outcome. The study took place in Sierra Leone. The quantitative and qualitative methods were used. The results of the study show that: the mode of recruitment of children has an influence on their social reintegration. Also, the violent practices in armed conflicts are obstacles to their social reintegration.

Vers une écologie linguistique des anciens chasseurs-cueilleurs du bassin central congolais

Anthropos ◽

10.5771/0257-9774-2021-1-137 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 116 (1) ◽

pp. 137-144

Author(s):

André Motingea Mangulu

Keyword(s):

Democratic Republic ◽

Congo Basin ◽

Scientific Interest ◽

Hunter Gatherers ◽

Current State ◽

Linguistic Research ◽

The Status ◽

Southern Cameroon

The article attempts to provide some sociolinguistic information about the former Hunter-Gatherers of the Central Congo Basin in the hope that they could arouse the same scientific interest as that which was carried out on the Bambuti Pygmies of Ituri and Aka of the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and Southern Cameroon. It emerges that all the questions raised and discussed so far in relation to the status of the languages spoken by these latter Pygmy tribes, their structure and their genetic affiliation also apply to the Pygmies of the Central Congo Basin. Thus, the article addresses, first and foremost, the problem of their near and distant origins and their current sociolinguistic situation, before going on to review the current state of linguistic research. A subclassification is then sketched based on common phonetic, morphosyntactic, and lexical characteristics to their languages as well as the traditions collected by the colonial administration.

Missionary Contributions to Bantu Languages in Tanzania

Historiographia Linguistica ◽

10.1075/hl.36.2.11leg ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 36 (2-3) ◽

pp. 393-406

Author(s):

Karsten Legère

Keyword(s):

Noun Phrase ◽

Sole Source ◽

African Languages ◽

Bantu Languages ◽

Linguistic Data ◽

Noun Classes ◽

Lexical Items ◽

Set Up ◽

Insight Into

Summary This paper deals with linguistic work by the lay missionary James Thomas Last (1850–1933), who was among the first Europeans to live up-country in what is now Tanzania. In the course of a seven-year stay he was exposed to African languages which have only partly been known outside Africa. Last collected linguistic data that culminated 1885 in the publication of the Polyglotta Africana Orientalis. This book is a collection of 210 lexical items and sentences elicited in or translated into 48 African languages, and supplemented by entries for some other languages. In order to demonstrate the relevance as well as the inconsistencies of this missionary’s contribution, special attention is paid to the book section on the Vidunda language currently spoken by approximately 10,000 people in Central Tanzania. It turns out that approximately 75 per cent of the Vidunda entries are still acceptable today. The data even provides insight into the grammatical set-up of Vidunda (e.g., the noun classes and constituents of the noun phrase). Less relevant are the verbal paradigms. In a nutshell, Last produced material which had for many years been the sole source of lexical and grammatical information about the Vidunda language.

Roadblock Politics

10.1017/9781108625050 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Peer Schouten

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Multinational Corporations ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Central Africa ◽

Global Supply Chains ◽

Security Forces ◽

State Security ◽

Key Drivers

There are so many roadblocks in Central Africa that it is hard to find a road that does not have one. Based on research in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Central African Republic (CAR), Peer Schouten maps more than a thousand of these roadblocks to show how communities, rebels and state security forces forge resistance and power out of control over these narrow points of passage. Schouten reveals the connections between these roadblocks in Central Africa and global supply chains, tracking the flow of multinational corporations and UN agencies alike through them, to show how they encapsulate a form of power, which thrives under conditions of supply chain capitalism. In doing so, he develops a new lens through which to understand what drives state formation and conflict in the region, offering a radical alternative to explanations that foreground control over minerals, territory or population as key drivers of Central Africa's violent history.