Simba rebellion

The Simba Rebellion was a 1964 rebellion in the former Belgian Congo (Eastern Congo) which began as a result of alleged abuses by the Congolese central government.

The leaders of the rebels were politically leftists. Most of their fighters however were tribesmen from the provinces of Kivu and Orientale. Many of them came from traditional African cultures with animist beliefs. The name "Simba" comes from the fact that the tribal fighters were told by shamans that they would be immune to bullets, and would be transformed into "Simbas" (the Swahili word for lions) when they were in battle.

The Simbas managed to intimidate two well-equipped battalions of government soldiers into retreating without a fight. The Simbas quickly started to capture important cities. Within weeks, about half of the Congo was in their control. Stanleyville (since 1977, Kisangani), a large city, was overtaken when the 1500 man government force fled, leaving behind their munitions (including mortars and armored vehicles) for the Simbas to take. The attack consisted of a charge, led by shamans, with forty Simba warriors. No shots were fired by the Simbas.