The Okapi, defined by Wikipedia as a species of ruminant mammal belonging to the Giraffidae family, is endemic to the tropical rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Found mainly in the Ituri and Semliki forests, this unique animal is protected within the Réserve de faune à okapis, established in 1992 and managed by the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN).
Thanks to Julie Ilondo Nguini and her initiative Allaboutcongo by Naviprojects LLC, this emblematic creature of the Congo has been brought to the forefront of literary awareness. In 2021, she published the children’s book À la rencontre de l’Okapi (À la Rencontre de l’Okapi), a beautifully illustrated introduction designed to help young readers discover the Okapi and understand the importance of protecting it. Beyond the story itself, the book serves as an engaging tool to promote environmental education and the preservation of Congo’s natural heritage.
Recognizing that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the only country in the world where the Okapi lives in its natural habitat, the Mécénat Collectif de la Diaspora Congolaise has launched an inspiring initiative that symbolically connects this national treasure to the world of books. Each year, on October 18 — International Okapi Day — readers around the globe are invited to purchase a book by a Congolese author.
This symbolic gesture, shared mainly through social media, encourages participants to post a photo of their chosen book on October 18, turning the act of reading into a collective celebration of Congolese creativity and natural heritage. The goal is to establish an annual movement — one that unites culture, identity, and environmental awareness.
By combining these two causes — the protection of the Okapi and the promotion of Congolese literature — the initiative seeks to spark reflection and action. It also aims to draw attention to the multiple threats facing the Okapi, including deforestation, poaching, and illegal mining.
Buying a book, like supporting the conservation of the Okapi, is a voluntary act — a simple yet powerful gesture of commitment, awareness, and responsibility. Through this initiative, the Mécénat Collectif de la Diaspora Congolaise hopes to inspire individuals and communities to take part in protecting what is rare, precious, and uniquely Congolese.
For book lovers, October 18 is more than a date — it is a call to read, reflect, and act.
Translated from the French article, by M.M.M
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