The field once populated by antelopes and buffalo is now plowed by Mennonites who moved from Mexico to northeastern Angola, sparking concerns among local Angolans. Eight families of Old Colony Mennonites, adhering to a 16th-century Christian sect, arrived less than a year ago, intending to establish a self-sustaining settlement encompassing nearly 2,000 acres. Their initiative, closely linked to an agreement with a diamond mining corporation, is aimed at creating a community for future Mennonite migrants.
Local villagers, like Charlotte Itala, worry that this agricultural transformation threatens their ancestral hunting grounds and agricultural practices. "If they take our land, we won’t be able to grow our cassava — and then what are we going to eat?" Itala expressed, highlighting that her $2.50 wage for seven hours of work does little to compensate for the loss of traditional resources. Her sentiments echo a widespread unease about the economic implications of losing access to land that has historically supported their livelihoods.
While some Angolans have recognized the Mennonites' efforts to cultivate the land, the conversation about resource allocation and rights has intensified. Concerns regarding the displacement of local communities by incoming settlers are amplified by reports of ongoing land sales and development projects that prioritize external interests over the needs of local populations. As the situation evolves, the delicate balance between newcomer initiatives and established community rights remains a point of contention.
Local villagers, like Charlotte Itala, worry that this agricultural transformation threatens their ancestral hunting grounds and agricultural practices. "If they take our land, we won’t be able to grow our cassava — and then what are we going to eat?" Itala expressed, highlighting that her $2.50 wage for seven hours of work does little to compensate for the loss of traditional resources. Her sentiments echo a widespread unease about the economic implications of losing access to land that has historically supported their livelihoods.
While some Angolans have recognized the Mennonites' efforts to cultivate the land, the conversation about resource allocation and rights has intensified. Concerns regarding the displacement of local communities by incoming settlers are amplified by reports of ongoing land sales and development projects that prioritize external interests over the needs of local populations. As the situation evolves, the delicate balance between newcomer initiatives and established community rights remains a point of contention.
