The Swahili proverb reflects a harsh truth: the most vulnerable always bear the cost of conflict. The documentary When Elephants Fight illustrates this dynamic vividly through the lens of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where vast mineral wealth has become both a blessing and a curse. Control over essential resources such as cobalt and tin fuels conflict, leaving ordinary people to suffer the consequences. The film is a stark reminder of how power struggles—whether between nations, corporations, or factions—inevitably come at the expense of those beneath them.

This pattern is not new. T.E. Lawrence’s Seven Pillars of Wisdom recounts British manipulation of Arab factions during World War I to weaken the Ottoman Empire. Though victory belonged to empires, the people on the ground were left to cope with broken promises and shattered futures. Similarly, in Dune, Frank Herbert explores how the spice trade on Arrakis is fought over by powerful houses, while the indigenous Fremen endure constant exploitation. Whether fiction or reality, the story remains the same: the pursuit of wealth and control tramples those caught in the crossfire.

I explored a similar theme in A Line in the Sand, where colonial interests in the Middle East shaped the destinies of countless individuals. My upcoming collab with Wells Jones and John Caulfield, Havana Famiglia, touches on this as well, though the stage shifts to Cuba—another nation shaped by external forces and exploited for strategic gain. From Spain and the U.S. to Russia and Venezuela, each regime sought to control Cuba’s resources and influence. And each time the elephants fought, it was the Cuban people who suffered.

This same theme is explored in my movie review on Reelay of When Elephants Fight. The documentary offers a sobering look at how modern corporations perpetuate these age-old patterns. Mining companies and tech giants may appear less brutal than colonial armies, but their impact is no less devastating. The fight for control over Congo’s mineral wealth continues to fund conflict, with civilians enduring the fallout. My review emphasizes how this ongoing struggle reflects the very essence of the Swahili proverb, capturing the cycle of exploitation that persists under new guises. You can check out the full review here.

As history and cinema remind us, when elephants fight, the grass must always find ways to survive. Whether in the deserts of Arabia, the plains of Congo, or the streets of Havana, those trampled by power struggles show a remarkable ability to endure. But it’s not enough to marvel at their resilience. The challenge for us is to find ways to lessen the blows, to stop the trampling, and perhaps, to protect the grass before the next fight begins.