The 8 Stages of the Pygmy Genocide

The 8 Stages of the Pygmy Genocide

By Kayelah Tumamak

Stage 1:

Stage 2:

Stage 3

Stage 4

Dehumanization

Organization

Classification

Stage 3 - Dehumanization

• Pygmies are barely represented in government

• Pygmies evicted from the forest are enslaved and treated as "untouchables"

-can't defend their land and resources

-basic rights are not secured

-especially in agricultural communities

• Pygmies are denied aboriginal status

• Pygmies are highly taken advantage of since they are the underclass in society

• Homes have been ruined by deforestation, conservation projects, and commercial activities

-Example: bush-meat trade (wildlife meat trade)

-receive no compensation

-often are not consulted

Symbolization

Stage 1 - Classification

• Pygmies are known as the forest hunter-gatherers or forest people

-have intimate connections with the forest

-culture and life revolves around the forest

• Can be distinguished by their short stature

Stage 4 - Organization

• Militias were formed in the Democratic Republic of Congo during their Civil war

-other groups like rebel gangs were also present

-many sought the Pygmies' because of superstitious beliefs

• Industries and organizations sought to get rid of the Pygmies from the forest

-Example: for resource exploitation

Stage 2: Symbolization

Referred to as "Pygmies"

-term that is negative and offensive

-refers to a small and dwarfish person and/or a person who is unimportant

Militias and hate groups form to remove a classification

Propaganda is used to make a classification seem less than human (ex. animal, insect, disease, etc.)

Names and symbols are given to the classifications

People are categorized by race, ethnicity, religion, etc.

Stage 8

Stage 7

Stage 6

Stage 5

Polarization

Denial

Identification

Extermination

Stage 5 -Polarization

• Pygmies' flesh are believed to be magical (superstitious beliefs)

-if eaten, it will give the consumer supernatural powers

• Pygmies are not allowed to go to some villages

Stage 6 - Identification

Pygmy communities are hunted down in the forest and are chased by armed tribal fighters with guns

Step 7 - Extermination

• Pygmies are raped, mutilated, and killed

-tribal fighters are found wandering in central African forests with human organs on their weapons

-some victims are found with missing sexual organs (became charms for their killers)

• Pygmies are eaten by heavily armed tribal fighters (cannibalism)

Stage 8 - Denial

Mass graves are formed

-one was discovered near a town called Bunia in the Democratic Republic of Congo

-30 mutilated Pygmy bodies were found in it

Extremists alienate a classification with the help of hate groups who broadcast propaganda. They also target any opposing threats.

A classification is identified and targeted for removal

A classification is exterminated by killers who dehumanized them

Exterminators try to hide the dead bodies