My Pygmy Clan (2001)

Excerpt from the draft of "Apostle to the Pygmies – The Doctor Jerry Galloway Story"

The clan where I stayed consisted of seven families. There were seven men, seven women, and many children, and we conversed about illness, daily life, and family history. Mbolia, a sophomore student, was an excellent source of information. One night, he talked about his aunt, who had chronic stomach problems. Mbolia said the problems were caused by his aunt's dead sister, who appeared from time to time at night. The Botoa believed their dreams were real, and if they dreamt about a deceased relative, they thought their spirit was present.

One night, they talked to me about the tensions my arrest caused between the Botoa and the Ekonda. The Botoa believed the Ekonda wanted to get rid of me because the Botoa were becoming more educated and were becoming more independent. In truth, the Ekonda were also upset by my arrest. Mbolia told me that recently an Ekonda woman bawled out all the Ekonda at the market place. She said, "Our children and we have good health care because of Brother Jerry, and if I ever find out who accused him, I will chop off their heads with my machete." That is the reason I would not name who accused me.

The report cards were issued, and it appeared my arrest negatively impacted the students. Early January was the middle of the semester exam period. Father Paul told the director and students it was doubtful I would return. The students went wild. They broke things, and then all of them went home. It took the director and his assistant a whole day to round them up and convince them to return to school. Of the nineteen seventh graders, fourteen failed, and of the seventeen eighth-graders, four failed.