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
Mission and Ministry
Patricia Petudzai Mapani lights a candle held by Tabitha Mushishi, The United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe’s unit coordinator, during a memorial service for members of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women in Botswana in April 2025. Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UM News.

United Methodist elected to worldwide role
“I am driven by passion to support, encourage, empower women and girls and being the voice of the voiceless.”
Global Health
Judith Yanga Osongo (left), director of communications for the East Congo Episcopal Area, raises awareness about Ebola prevention measures at a United Methodist church in Beni, Congo, in the Kivu Annual Conference. This grassroots communications campaign, jointly supported by United Methodist Communications and Global Ministries, includes distribution of posters and essential prevention messages in the areas affected by the Bundibugyo virus outbreak. Photo courtesy of the East Congo Episcopal Area.

Church builds on Ebola response in Congo
The United Methodist Church’s health coordination team is constructing a 50-bed treatment center and reaching thousands through a large-scale community response.
Global Health
Members of Bartee Pannoh United Methodist Church and community members celebrate during the dedication of a water well in the Karquekpo community in Sinoe County, Liberia. As part of its most recent outreach, the Liberia Conference provided 25 water wells, 15 gender-sensitive toilets and poly tanks to harvest rain water in rural communities where the church is present. Photo courtesy of the United Methodist Human Rights Monitor.

Church expands access to clean water in Liberia
Through its Water for Life initiative, the Liberia Conference is installing wells and sanitation facilities throughout the country to help reduce waterborne diseases and improve safety and equity for women and girls.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2026 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved