Africa’s stolen Metis children

Feb 28, 2025

Marie-José Loshi, one of five courageous women, shares her harrowing tale of being forcibly taken from her family in the Belgian Congo as a child. The conversation dives into the emotional impact of colonial policies on mixed-race children, detailing her painful experiences in a Catholic institution. Marie-José recounts their legal battle against the Belgian government, seeking justice and recognition for past injustices. The discussion highlights the importance of confronting colonial legacies and empowering survivors to reclaim their narratives.

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ANECDOTE

Marie-Josée's Story

Marie-Josée Loshi, a Métis woman, recounts her experience of being forcibly taken from her family at age four.
She describes the traumatic journey of several days and the pain of separation.

INSIGHT

Targeting Métis Children

The Belgian Congo's colonial rulers targeted mixed-race children, known as Métis.
They feared these children would lead future revolts against their rule.

ANECDOTE

Life at the Mission

Marie-Josée describes the difficult conditions at the Catholic mission, including cultural and language barriers.
She recalls the emotional distress of unfamiliar food and the poor living conditions.

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In 1953, in what was then the Belgian Congo, four-year-old Marie-José Loshi was forcibly removed from her family’s village and taken more than 600km away to live in a Catholic institute.

The cause of her kidnapping was the colour of her skin. Under Belgium’s colonial rule, thousands of mixed-race children were taken from their homes and separated from their families. The state hoped the actions would quash any sense of revolt against the colony.

More than 70 years later, Marie-José and four other women took on the former colonial power, seeking justice for themselves and the many other mixed-race children that suffered the same fate. She speaks to Kaine Pieri.

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(Photo: Marie-José Loshi. Credit: Marie-José Loshi)