In a small African village, the land where Charlotte Itala once picked corn with friends has been transformed by a group of Old Colony Mennonites, who have plowed over the area to establish a new settlement in northeastern Angola. The Mennonites, numbering nearly 60, emigrated from Mexico nearly a year ago as part of an agreement with a diamond mining company to cultivate nearly 2,000 acres.
The Mennonites aim to create a community that will attract more members from the Americas, using shipping containers as temporary homes. While some Angolans view their arrival positively, others express concerns about the potential loss of land and resources. Ms. Itala, who earns $2.50 for seven hours of work on the Mennonite farm, fears for her village's future, stating, “If they take our land, we won’t be able to grow our cassava — and then what are we going to eat?”
The Mennonites prefer not to use the term “colony” due to its historical connotations in Angola, a country with a painful colonial past. They refer to their settlement as the Fields of Hope and claim to be partners with the local communities, promising to allocate land for nearby villages and share agricultural knowledge.
Despite Angola's wealth in oil and minerals, the country faces challenges such as corruption, unemployment, and poverty, particularly in rural areas. The government is promoting agriculture in the region, which has been historically impacted by civil war and diamond mining.
The partnership between the Mennonites and the mining company, Minas Gema Angola, may secure longer land concessions for agricultural development. Mennonite leader Benjamin Kauenhofen noted that their contract includes provisions for discussing diamond sales with the mining company, indicating a mutual benefit.
While the Mennonites have faced challenges in their initial attempts to settle in Angola, including bureaucratic hurdles and health issues, they remain committed to their new home. Their decision to relocate was influenced by environmental concerns in Mexico and the desire for a sustainable future.
Unlike more traditional Mennonite groups, the settlers in Angola are somewhat open to modernization, using tractors and learning Portuguese, while still adhering to their cultural practices. They do not seek to convert local Angolans but hope to build a community that will attract more Mennonites from other regions.
As the Mennonites establish their presence, local residents like Tiago Sumixi express anxiety about being displaced. He remarked, “We are paralyzed. We have nowhere to go,” highlighting the growing tension between the new settlers and the indigenous population.