“Lanceurs d’Eveil” (Whistle Blowers) documents the activism of young people in the FILIMBI citizen movement, an AJWS partner in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). FILIMBI and local photographer Arlette Bashizi collaborated intimately to create a visually striking project, seeking to capture on film the essence of the movement’s name: “filimbi” meaning “whistle,” in Swahili. Democracy — and life — in the DRC can be perilous. Africa’s fourth most-populated nation has been rife with violence since the First Congo War of the mid-’90s. This series aims to capture the activists’ struggle to expose societal ills, often at great personal risk, as well as their ongoing fight for freedom, equality and human rights — a fight deeply rooted in the violence and oppression each activist continues to endure. Photographs by Arlette Bashizi.
About the Project • Artist Statement • About FILIMBI • Photographer Bio
The Gallery
Photographer Arlette Bashizi uses shadow and silhouette to visualize the idea that these activists work in the shadows of society, often without the support of their families, to bring about justice in their country. Activist Benjamin, pictured here, faced arrest for his resistance against the Congolese government. Benjamin and other FILIMBI activists posed with whistles, symbolizing their calls to denounce and warn of the oppression in their society. He says, “I dream of a Congo where justice is democratic and fair…where people earn their living by their own sweat…a Congo where the promotion of human rights matters to everyone.”
The FILIMBI activists collaborated closely with Bashizi on every image, actively providing critical and artistic input on the details of the background murals, props and clothing design. For some photographs, the collaborators employed models to execute their shared vision, as shown here.
Mino has endured many arrests for his activism, but time in jail only renews his resolve to keep fighting for a transformed nation that is free from corruption. He says, “Nothing can discourage my dedication to this cause.”
Fidele poses with jerry cans, because the lack of potable water in his town inspired him to join FILIMBI. He says: “I am an activist because I witness my country in turmoil, riddled with social injustice… because I was born and raised in a part of the country where there is no room for peace.”
When speaking of his dream for his country, Nasser envisions a Congolese society with infinite opportunities to make a living and where “everyone has access” to them.
Growing up, Anitha witnessed many atrocities and became active in civil society at a young age. She says, “Despite facing multiple arrests and interrogations, my resolve to advocate persists. My country’s current state of affairs fuels my ongoing campaign… My aspiration for the Democratic Republic of Congo is a future where peace becomes a reality.”
Motivated by his own experiences of injustice when trying to further his education, Tristan joined the FILIMBI movement to help raise awareness, increase civic engagement and build a better future.
Orphaned at a young age, Christophe juggled small jobs to fund his studies despite struggling to stay in school. Now he’s active in the FILIMBI movement, mobilizing youth and coordinating actions to bring peace, security and quality education that are accessible to all. One hand holding a whistle, the other raised in a fist, Christophe stands resolute, determined to maintain the fight for a fairer and safer Congo for all.
About the Project
“Activism Through the Artist’s Lens” is a showcase of new photographs from three communities in the Global South depicting human rights activists in brave and illuminating ways. In Mexico, the Democratic Republic of Congo and India, AJWS and Magnum Foundation paired a talented up-and-coming local photographer with one of AJWS’s human rights grantees with the directive to upend traditional art-world power dynamics by sharing creative control equally between the artist and the subject. These collaborations yielded visually arresting images that tell powerful, evocative stories, giving us precious insight into what motivates and inspires these activists, as well as an intimate glimpse into how their traditions and identities intertwine in the course of their critical work.
The Collaborators
FILIMBI, which means “whistle” in Swahili, is a pro-democracy movement based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, that engages youth to stand up to authoritarianism and defend the rule of law. Amidst the constant threat of human rights abuse, arrest and harassment, FILIMBI’s members courageously promote freedom of expression, association and assembly, and organize peaceful protests to build a better future for their nation.
Arlette Bashizi is an award-winning documentary photographer and photojournalist. She focuses on issues of health, the environment and culture, keeping women and youth at the center of her work. Her work has been published in International media such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, The New Humanitarian, and Al Jazeera. Bashizi also photographs for Reuters and works as a consultant with United Nations agencies and international organizations. Her project, “Survivors,” recently won an honorable mention in the World Press Photo Contest.
Additional Credits
Melissa Bineza – Tailor and Designer
Justin Kasereka – Light Director and Painter
Christian Mbeva – Painter
Gedeon Ntore – Assistant Painter
Benjamin Baharanyi – Assistant Painter
Artist Statement
“Lanceurs d’Eveil” (Whistle Blowers) is a photo project documenting the struggle of activists in the FILIMBI citizen movement in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are a group of young people, most of whose struggles have been fueled by the social injustices they have experienced since their youth.
The conception of the project started from the personal stories of each activist, after weeks spent exchanging and interviewing each of them to understand how they became activists and why. Whether it’s Anitha, whose people in Beni, her homeland, are killed every day by machetes; Aristote, a doctor in training, who saw people die when he was just a little boy due to a lack of medical care during the war; Mino, who was sentenced to a year’s imprisonment for simply denouncing the political system; or many other activists.
The visual elements are all linked to the story of each activist. The whistle installations (inspired by the name of the movement itself—filimbi means whistle in Swahili), represent the elements they have at their disposal to denounce and warn of the evils that plague society and against which they are fighting, at the risk of their own lives. The lighting plays with shadows and silhouettes to emphasize the way in which they are heroes in the shadows in our society.
They all have one thing in common that fuels their struggle: a thirst for social justice, from freedom to equality to security, from access to healthcare to education, from respect for human rights to respect for the memory of the Congolese who die day and night in this cycle of conflict that has reigned there for decades.
As a young Congolese photographer, I found myself personally linked to this struggle, and my contribution to it was to raise their voice even higher by using my camera, in association with a team of painters and fashion designers, to better document their story.
—Arlette Bashizi
About Our Co-Sponsor
Magnum Foundation expands creativity and diversity in visual storytelling, activating new audiences and ideas through the innovative use of images. Through grants, mentorship and creative collaborations, we partner with socially engaged imagemakers exploring new models for storytelling. Since our founding in 2007 by members of the Magnum Photos cooperative, we have made more than 600 direct grants to visual storytellers from over 80 countries. To find out about upcoming exhibitions and events, learn about grant opportunities or join our community of support, please visit www.magnumfoundation.org.
Image at top of page: Aristote is a medical student, dedicated to healing the wounds of his country. He said: “I was raised in the midst of war… I’ve seen people succumb from hunger, lack of water, inadequate healthcare, and the absence of basic necessities… Witnessing these hardships filled me with a deep sense of indignation, wanting to contribute to rectifying all these issues. Now, every morning, as I wake up, I remind myself that one day, change will come. That’s why I keep on fighting.”
