This is coolbert: In the days of de-colonialization in Africa, the area known as the Congo was always up for grabs. Various factions constantly vied for power. That part of the world possesses tremendous mineral wealth. And the various factions knew the wealth would be theirs if they could only grab power. Had militia forces to do so. Thugs and misguided individuals that were promised riches in return for fighting for this militia or that militia. Now, these are primitive people. And the various forms of black magic, sorcery, voodoo, and juju reign supreme in the mind of the locals. Now, various western powers and companies that had a stake in mining interests, sent mercenaries to fight on the side of the "central government". Whoever the "central government" was at the time was immaterial. Only that there be one, and it be beholden to the mining and western interests. Now, these mercenaries, fighting as military units, encountered "dawa". Black magic practiced by the local witch doctors. This dawa was supposed to protect the militia "warriors" from the white man's bullets. The bullets were supposed to turn into rain and would not harm the "warriors". This was totally accepted by the "warriors", who went into battle fully believing that they could not be hurt by the white man's weapons. Now, of course, most of these guys fell in battle, shot down. And how did the witch doctors explain this?? By saying that the fallen had broken some sort of taboo. Looked to the right or left while marching toward the white men, or not purifying themselves prior to battle, etc.

coolbert.