Chukudu

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A man uses a chukudu to transport bananas to the market in North Kivu .

A Chukudu , also Tshukudu, is a wooden load scooter developed and used in eastern Congo in the 1970s, the name of which is the onomatopoeic description of the driving noise ("Chu-ku-du"). The vehicle, similar to an oversized scooter, characterizes the streets of Goma . The unloaded vehicle is moved forward by the driver kneeling with one leg on him by pushing it with the other leg. With a larger load, it must be pushed without a gradient, but the topographical conditions usually allow goods to be transported into the city to roll downhill, with the driver standing behind the load on the side member. Braking is done with a pad brake on the rear wheel, which is operated with the foot.

Manufacturing

The Chukudu is made by craftsmen in the Goma area from local woods and recycled parts. Cut-to-size tires are used for the treads of the wheels and the simple brake on the rear wheel, while the ball bearings and axles of the wheels come from scrapped cars or motorcycles. The knee cushion on the side member is the sole of a disused flip-flop sandal .

The information on the carrying capacity of the Chukudu vary between 600 and 700 kilograms.

meaning

Chukudu near Goma on the border between Congo and Rwanda

According to the traditional division of labor, women in the Congo carry heavy loads such as firewood, water or food. In the mountainous forest area outside the city of Goma, there is also the risk of rape and robbery by rebels. If the family owns a chukudu, the man is more likely to take on these tasks.

In addition, the economic importance is immense. Since numerous loads such as wood or bananas from the surrounding mountains come downhill into the city, very efficient transport is possible without the relatively high costs of truck transport. A “Chukudeur” can earn between $ 10 and $ 15 a day with transport services, a very good salary in the poor region.

An attempt by the mayor of Goma to ban the chukudu from the city center was abandoned after protests. Meanwhile, the UN peacekeeping force held an award-winning “Chukudu Rally” instead.

Others

The anthropologist and photographer Teun Voeten introduced his article in the daily newspaper with the words:

"It seems to come from the cave garage of the Feuerstein family ."

Web links

Commons : Chukudu  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d e Teun Voeten: Chukudu, Chukudu. taz .de , December 8, 2009, accessed December 9, 2009 .
  2. ↑ Cigdem Akyol: Nothing works in the Congo without wooden scooters. Rheinische Post , Weitsicht D7, February 22, 2013
  3. ↑ Anna Husarska: Meeting Congo's sex crime victims. Guardian Weekly, March 27, 2008