Turumbu people
Encyclopedia
The Turumbu people live in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
, mostly in the Isangi Territory of the Tshopo District
on both sides of the Congo River
. They speak the Lombo language
. As of 1971 their population was estimated to be 10,000.
A more recent estimate put the population at 32,000.
There are foreign-owned plantations in the region growing coffee, cocoa, rubber and palm oil, but these are shrinking. There is little interaction between the smallholders and the plantation workers.
Most of the Turumbu villages are within reach of the Congo River and the Isangi
- Yangambi
- Kisangani
road.
This road is unpaved, rarely used in the rainy season and difficult to use at all times of the year.
Lokele traders travelling by canoe on the river distribute and market farm and non-farm products of the Turumbu.
Turumbu farmers living along the road may have to walk up to 23 kilometres (14.3 mi) to reach a market im Yangambi or Lotokila. Another group living deeper in the forest brings their produce to a market near Weko
twice weekly for sales to traders who have travelled the 42 kilometres (26.1 mi) from Yangambi.
They are known for the enormous iron blades that are given as gifts to the family of a bride, often up to 5 feet (1.5 m) long and weighing as much as 4.5 pounds (2 kg).
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
, mostly in the Isangi Territory of the Tshopo District
Tshopo District
Tshopo District is a district located in Orientale Province, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo....
on both sides of the Congo River
Congo River
The Congo River is a river in Africa, and is the deepest river in the world, with measured depths in excess of . It is the second largest river in the world by volume of water discharged, though it has only one-fifth the volume of the world's largest river, the Amazon...
. They speak the Lombo language
Lombo language
The Lombo language is in the Kele language group of Bantu languages. It is spoken by the Turumbu people of the Tshopo District, Isangi Territory, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo....
. As of 1971 their population was estimated to be 10,000.
A more recent estimate put the population at 32,000.
Location
The Turumbu territory lies in the Zairian Basin, an ecologically rich region with a wide variety of plants, animals and microorganisms. Average annual rainfall is 1800 millimetres (70.9 in). There are two rainy seasons, one between March and May and the other between August and November. Average temperature is 25.5 °C (77.9 °F), with humidity around 90%. The soil is infertile, forcing farmers to slash and burn new plots each growing season.Economy
The farmers grow rice and maize as cash crops, and grow cassava and plantain for subsistence. They also hunt, fish and gather protein-based foods, manufacture alcoholic beverages and handicrafts and engage in petty trade.There are foreign-owned plantations in the region growing coffee, cocoa, rubber and palm oil, but these are shrinking. There is little interaction between the smallholders and the plantation workers.
Most of the Turumbu villages are within reach of the Congo River and the Isangi
Isangi
Isangi is a territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is located in the Tshopo District to the west of Kisangani, and mostly to the south of the Congo River.The largest community is Yangambi...
- Yangambi
Yangambi
Yangambi is a city in the Isangi territory of Tshopo District, Democratic Republic of the Congo.-Location:Yangambi is on the north side of the Congo River and lies on the R408 road which connects it to Kisangani to the east....
- Kisangani
Kisangani
Kisangani is the capital of Orientale Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is the 3rd largest urbanized city in the country and the largest of the cities that lie in the tropical woodlands of the Congo....
road.
This road is unpaved, rarely used in the rainy season and difficult to use at all times of the year.
Lokele traders travelling by canoe on the river distribute and market farm and non-farm products of the Turumbu.
Turumbu farmers living along the road may have to walk up to 23 kilometres (14.3 mi) to reach a market im Yangambi or Lotokila. Another group living deeper in the forest brings their produce to a market near Weko
Weko
Weko is a community in the Democratic Republic of the Congo....
twice weekly for sales to traders who have travelled the 42 kilometres (26.1 mi) from Yangambi.
Culture
Almost all the Turumbu people practice ChristianityThey are known for the enormous iron blades that are given as gifts to the family of a bride, often up to 5 feet (1.5 m) long and weighing as much as 4.5 pounds (2 kg).