Support UM News at General Conference: Your gift ensures that you and other visitors receive the latest updates, in-depth analysis, and diverse perspectives from General Conference.

Maybe Later Dismiss
Navigation

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 [email protected].

Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Related Tags

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Global Health
Staff with the Zimbabwe Entomological Support Program in Malaria stand inside the insectary at Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe, during a rededication of its research lab on Aug. 27. The program was shut down earlier this year after funding from USAID was suspended. From left are Sungano Mharakurwa, Vuyisile Mthokozisi Mathe, Joseph Makanda, Fanuel Toto, Hieronymo Masendu, Petros Kawadza and Violla Chimwayi. Photo by Ben Smith, UM News.

Africa University restarts malaria program
With funding support from the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, Africa University reopened a research lab after the U.S. aid withdrawal left life-saving work in jeopardy.
Bishops
All 14 active bishops in Africa and three retired bishops pose for a photo at the Africa Colleges of Bishops meeting, held Sept. 1-4 in Luanda, Angola. During the gathering, the bishops celebrated The United Methodist Church’s growth on the continent and affirmed their commitment to church unity. Photo by Geraldo Martins, West Angola Conference.

African bishops celebrate growth, affirm unity
The 17 bishops at the 2025 Africa Colleges of Bishops meeting pledged their support for regionalization as “a faithful and strategic path forward.”
Global Health
The Rev. Sunny Brown Farley, coordinator of the United Methodist Global AIDS Committee, helps cut the ribbon on a new house built for a mother living with HIV in Rwanda. Joining in the festivities are neighboring women and the Rev. Donald E. Messer, a member of the United Methodist Global AIDS Committee. Photo courtesy of Donald E. Messer.

Global AIDS addresses needs in Africa
Workshop participants in Kenya express fear that progress toward ending AIDS could be reversed by loss of U.S. funding.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved