Family Matters - Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Tribunal family is a modern one in which all parents have been working for years, and supporting the family together. Grevic Tribunal, a youngster, is the first to have been interviewed. This family lives in the principal town of Kinshasa.

Mwami means King in Swahili (a language spoken in eastern DRC). However, they are currently called customary chiefs. Katshiravweya is the Mwami of Baswagha of the Batshira sub-clan. At the time of the interview, he was in the town of Butembo, but his kingdom is in Ghutanda and Vurusi. He has only one wife and a one-year-old baby. He is the sole provider of his family. He is also in charge of the governance of the region, and the community of Ghutanda and Vurusi.

Kasereka Kihombwe Mahamud is a proud Muslim and polygamist. He is married to two wives who expect great things from each other, and the Muslim religion plays a significant role in his family. He provides for the needs of the family together with these two women. He lives in Mbolekerere, which is 15 km from Butembo downtown.

Kavugho Tshowaluso is a 50-year-old woman and the mother of six children. Although her husband is alive, he is a drunk and irresponsible man. He doesn’t help her in their home. She has been married to him since she was 23 years old. She is paid to cultivate farms in order to raise her children. She lives in Luhotu, a rural council located 45 km from the village of Butembo (Eastern DRC).