Navigation Back Search

Give us this day our daily fish

A UMNS Photo Feature by Mike DuBoseFeb. 23, 2016 | KISANGANI, Democratic Republic of Congo (UMNS)

No fish is too big, no fish is too small for experienced fishermen who make their living and take their diet from the river.

*Click on the i in the upper left-hand corner above the slideshow to display caption information. To turn captions off, simply click on the caption.
View slideshow fullscreen»

 

The Wagenia village is part of the Kisangani district. For more than 200 years, fishermen have been fishing the rapids at Stanley Falls in the Congo River. Wobbly scaffolding hangs over the roaring falls and the fish are caught in giant wooden nets.

United Methodist pastors and visitors took a ride across the river to visit with the chief who manages the ownership of the nets and decides whether or not to allow visitors to take photos.

Each net represents a family that depends on what is caught in those nets for income and daily food. Every fish — big or small—is eaten. One of the fishermen pulls flopping fish out of a beaten tin pan and talks about how each one tastes.

The chief decides positioning of the nets; some are in prime locations and others are not. He receives visitors rowed across the river in a wet, slimy pirogue that in addition to providing transportation also is used for catching fish.

This tribe has been in existence since 1883.

DuBose is photographer for United Methodist News Service. Contact him at (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

Sign up for our newsletter!

SUBSCRIBE

Latest News

Evangelism
A fire partially destroyed Hartzell High School, a United Methodist school at Old Mutare Mission in Zimbabwe on April 6. Photo by Sengurayi Mashiri.

Fire destroys part of United Methodist school
The junior block at Hartzell High School, a United Methodist school at Old Mutare Mission in Zimbabwe, housed classrooms for hundreds of students.
Social Concerns
Tendai Musandaka, 20, holds a box of chicks that she and other women and girls will raise to generate income in Marange, Zimbabwe, which has been affected by drought. The farming program is led by The United Methodist Church’s Ministry with Women, Youth and Children and funded by the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UMNS.

Zimbabwe farming project empowers women, girls
UMCOR-funded program provides chicks to help women and girls generate income in an area struggling with drought, dying crops.
Disaster Relief
Cyclone Idai survivor Geshem Makufa, 55, is being treated at United Methodist Mutambara Mission Hospital in the Chimanimani District of Eastern Zimbabwe. He is pictured with his wife, Tandiwe Makufa. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UMNS.

Church embraces cyclone survivors in Zimbabwe
United Methodist offer physical and emotional support as relief efforts continue in hard-hit areas.