Spaniard Kidnapped in Congo ‘Had Body Hair Shaved for Magic Spells’
London Telegraph, April 10, 2010
The Spanish Foreign Ministry confirmed that Mario Zarza Manresa, a doctor who was travelling through the vast Central African nation, had been kidnapped.
Mr Zarza Manresa was seized on April 1 while travelling down the Congo River on a boat that was overrun by rebels.
Congolese Information Minister said that Mr Zarza Manresa had been “shaved completely by Ibrahim (a rebel leader) who believes in magical fetishes made with hair and body hair of whites”.
Gunmen from Congo’s plethora of rebel and pro-government armed groups often adorn themselves with trinkets or traditional garments before heading into battle, in the belief that they will protect them from the bullets of the enemy.
Some believe wearing fetishes will turn bullets into water.
The Spanish government could not confirm the reports of Mr Zarza Manresa’s shaving, but Felix Costales, the country’s ambassador in Congo, told Spanish television that fishermen in the area had seen the hostage and he was well.
Mr Zarza Manresa was in Congo as a tourist and not for work.
The Enyele, the ethnic group that the rebels come from, has not previously had any confrontations with Europeans, Mr Costales said.
The incident took place 30 miles north of Mbandaka, the provincial capital which was attacked last weekend.
Government troops backed by United Nations peacekeepers eventually repelled the rebels but the clash marked the fighters apparently expanding their rebellion and underscores Congo’s simmering violence, four years after post-war elections.
