DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
A man navigates his pirogue along the Congo river...
© Andrew McConnell
00145719
Yangambi
A man navigates his pirogue along the Congo river past the Yangambi Research Station. The largest building in Yangambi faces the riverfront and was perviously a maintenance centre and repair garage for the entire facility. It now lies abandoned and derelict. Yangambi Research Station is the former Belgian headquarters for all major scientific ecological, biological and agricultural research in Africa between the 1930's and 1960. It stretches for 33 km inland from the river and contains 250 residential houses and many research buildings and offices, including a herbarium and library. At it's height approximately 250 scientists and 500 technicians were based here along with 1000 more Belgian workers ranging from doctors to bricklayers. With the families and constant visitors to the station included the total population would have ranged in the several thousands. Abandonment began in...
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Residential houses at Yangambi Research Station. This...
© Andrew McConnell
00145737
Yangambi
Residential houses at Yangambi Research Station. This area of the research station was once a rubber plantation and the factory here, which predates the research station, produced tyres for the whole of Congo and for export around the world. Yangambi Research Station is the former Belgian headquarters for all major scientific ecological, biological and agricultural research in Africa between the 1930's and 1960. Abandonment began in 1960 with Independence and although Congo attempted to maintain Yangambi, sometimes in co-operation with the Belgians, the facility began to fall into disrepair through the 70's and 80's. War in the 1990's halted all potential for progress and for the past decade a skeleton crew has made a futile attempt to stave off further decline.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
An old Volkswagon Beetle sits in the garage of a...
© Andrew McConnell
00145760
Yangambi
An old Volkswagon Beetle sits in the garage of a residential home on Yamgambi Research Station. The station contains 250 residential homes, some are derelict but most are inhabited by more than one family. These are usually workers at the facility who are assigned the homes by the Ministry of Agriculture in Kinshasa.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
The Herbarium at Yangambi Research Station,...
© Andrew McConnell
00145766
Yangambi
The Herbarium at Yangambi Research Station, containing over 100,000 plant specimens. Every specimen in the Herbarium is at least 50 years old and was collected by Belgians from all over Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. It represents a complete survey of everything in the Congo but unfortunately much of the animal collection has been lost or stolen. Yangambi Research Station is the former Belgian headquarters for all major scientific ecological, biological and agricultural research in Africa between the 1930's and 1960. Abandonment began in 1960 with independence and although the Congolese attempted to maintain Yangambi, sometimes in co-operation with the Belgians, the facility began to fall into disrepair through the 70's and 80's. War in the 1990's halted all potential for progress and for the past decade a skeleton crew has made a futile attempt to stave off further decline.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Some of the bird collection still present in the...
© Andrew McConnell
00145773
Yangambi
Some of the bird collection still present in the Herbarium of the Yangambi Research Station. Three hornbills and a Turaco (2nd left). Many of the birds were stolen when Uganda soldiers, who passed through Yangambi in the late 90's, took them as trophies or to sell back home.
The Herbarium contains over 100,000 plant specimens; each one is at least 50 years old and was collected by the Belgians from all over Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. It represents a complete survey of everything in the Congo, unfortunately however much of the animal collection has been lost or stolen. Yangambi Research Station is the former Belgian headquarters for all major scientific ecological, biological and agricultural research in Africa between the 1930's and 1960. Abandonment began in 1960 with independence and although the Congolese attempted to maintain Yangambi, sometimes in co-operation with the Belgians,...
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Congo river traffic en route to Yangambi. With few...
© Andrew McConnell
00145729
Congo river traffic en route to Yangambi. With few paved roads connecting such a vast land the Congo River serves as the country's main artery, with many towns and villages dotted along its banks and that of its tributaries.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Gros Michel was the banana of choice for banana...
© Andrew McConnell
00145723
Yangambi
Gros Michel was the banana of choice for banana growers and exporters up until the mid 20th century, but Panama disease (Fusarium) made it impossible to grow commercially as it wiped out whole plantations around the world. However, it is alive and well at the Yangambi Research Station. Gros Michel was considered a tastier and creamier banana than the Cavendish banana that most in the western world eat today. However the Cavendish, which was previously found to be resistant to Panama disease, has now become susceptible to it.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
A man reaches to examine bananas on a plant.
© Andrew McConnell
00145756
Lokombe Lokombe
A man reaches to examine bananas on a plant.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
A wild banana, containing seeds. Wild bananas are...
© Andrew McConnell
00145757
Yangambi
A wild banana, containing seeds. Wild bananas are used in the breeding of new banana types but the process is long and difficult.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
A smoked monkey and plantain bananas in Yamgambi...
© Andrew McConnell
00145747
Yangambi
A smoked monkey and plantain bananas in Yamgambi market. Bushmeat is popular in Congo and an important source of protein which many lack in their diet, but, it is expensive and usually beyond the means of most.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
The remains of what was once a tyre factory within...
© Andrew McConnell
00145740
Yangambi
The remains of what was once a tyre factory within the Yangambi Research Station. There was once a rubber plantation with the research station and the factory here produced tyres for the whole of Congo and for export around the world.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Yangambi Research Station is the former Belgian...
© Andrew McConnell
00145743
Yangambi
Yangambi Research Station is the former Belgian headquarters for all major scientific ecological, biological and agricultural research in Africa between the 1930's and 1960. It stretches for 33 km inland from the river and contains 250 residential houses and many research buildings and offices, including a herbarium and library. At it's height approximately 250 scientists and 500 technicians were based here along with 1000 more Belgian workers ranging from doctors to bricklayers. With the families and constant visitors to the station included the total population would have ranged in the several thousands. Abandonment began in 1960 with independence and although Congo attempted to maintain Yangambi, sometimes in co-operation with the Belgians, the facility began to fall into disrepair through the 70's and 80's. War in the 1990's halted all potential for progress and for the past decade...
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
People in one of the outer villages of Yamgambi. The...
© Andrew McConnell
00145738
Yangambi
People in one of the outer villages of Yamgambi. The communities here live much as they have done for centuries, with no electricity and little access to the outside world.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
A man carries banana suckers on his bicycle for...
© Andrew McConnell
00145750
Yangambi
A man carries banana suckers on his bicycle for replanting. Suckers are how bananas reproduce and are dug out from the base (corm) of the mother plant. Local people with no space in their garden or village to plant extra plants can bring them to Km 5 in Yangambi where they can plant them and maintain ownership.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
The interior of Yangambi Research Station Library....
© Andrew McConnell
00145763
Yangambi
The interior of Yangambi Research Station Library. The library contains a large collection of old scientific books, papers and all the annual reports for Yangambi. It has been keep intact by a small skeleton crew who spend lost of their days drying out damp books.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
The interior of Yangambi Research Station Library....
© Andrew McConnell
00145764
Yangambi
The interior of Yangambi Research Station Library. The library contains a large collection of old scientific books, papers and all the annual reports for Yangambi. It has been keep intact by a small skeleton crew who spend lost of their days drying out damp books.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Former office of the preeminent banana expert and...
© Andrew McConnell
00147131
Yangambi
Former office of the preeminent banana expert and Belgian scientist Edmond De Langhe at Kilometer 5, Yangambi Research Station. Km 5 was the research complex where De Langhe planted his bananas and where he lived (house since destroyed). He gathered bananas from all over the world to plant here and worked on developing subsistence bananas and investigating banana history in Africa. When De Langhe left in 1960 his bananas, including YK5 and Ibota Ibota, spread all over Congo.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Placide Kamabu, Director of Yangambi Research Station...
© Andrew McConnell
00145762
Yangambi
Placide Kamabu, Director of Yangambi Research Station Library. The library contains a large collection of old scientific books, papers and all the annual reports for Yangambi. It has been keep intact by a small skeleton crew who spend lost of their days drying out damp books.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
A map of the Yangambi Research Station adorns the...
© Andrew McConnell
00145732
Yangambi
A map of the Yangambi Research Station adorns the wall of its Library. Yangambi Research Station is the former Belgian headquarters for all major scientific ecological, biological and agricultural research in Africa between the 1930's and 1960.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Interior of the conference room in Yangambi Research...
© Andrew McConnell
00145769
Yangambi
Interior of the conference room in Yangambi Research Station Library. The library contains a large collection of old scientific books, papers and all the annual reports for Yangambi. It has been keep intact by a small skeleton crew who spend lost of their days drying out damp books. Yangambi Research Station is the former Belgian headquarters for all major scientific ecological, biological and agricultural research in Africa between the 1930's and 1960. Abandonment began in 1960 with independence and although Congolese attempted to maintain Yangambi, sometimes in co-operation with the Belgians, the facility began to fall into disrepair through the 70's and 80's. War in the 1990's halted all potential for progress and for the past decade a skeleton crew has made a futile attempt to stave off further decline.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
A map of DR Congo, seen on the wall of Yangambi...
© Andrew McConnell
00147128
Yangambi
A map of DR Congo, seen on the wall of Yangambi Library. The library contains a large collection of old scientific books, papers and all the annual reports for Yangambi. It has been keep intact by a small skeleton crew who spend lost of their days drying out damp books.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Typewriters still in use at the Yangambi Library, at...
© Andrew McConnell
00147133
Yangambi
Typewriters still in use at the Yangambi Library, at Yangambi Research Station. The library contains a large collection of old scientific books, papers and all the annual reports for Yangambi. It has been keep intact by a small skeleton crew who spend lost of their days drying out damp books.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Benoit Dhed'a Djailo (54), Professor of the Faculty...
© Andrew McConnell
00147129
Kisangani
Benoit Dhed'a Djailo (54), Professor of the Faculty of Sciences at Kisangani University, stands amongst the university's banana collection, in Kisangani. The collection was started in 1995 by Professor Benoit Dhed'a Djailo and contains 65 plantain varieties.
Prof Dhed'a was one of the first native African proteges of the renowned banana scholar and father of the Yangambi collection, Edmond De Langhe. He subsequently trained in Belgium and is today Congo's foremost banana expert. He has collected bananas throughout Congo for 20 years and heads the project to preserve and revitalise banana collection and research at Yangambi.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Banana suckers are catalogued after being removed...
© Andrew McConnell
00145751
Yangambi
Banana suckers are catalogued after being removed from mother plants. Suckers are how banana plants reproduce and are dug out from the base (corm) of the mother plant. Producing around 12 suckers in it's lifetime means one plant can produce many generations of daughter plants. The search for disease resistant bananas starts here, but the process is long and tedious.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Women carrying firewood pass by an abandoned and...
© Andrew McConnell
00145799
Yangambi
Women carrying firewood pass by an abandoned and derelict building belonging to the Yangambi Research Station. This is the former Belgian headquarters for all major scientific ecological, biological and agricultural research in Africa between the 1930's and 1960. It stretches for 33 km inland from the Congo river and contains 250 residential houses and many research buildings and offices, including a herbarium and library. At it's height approximately 250 scientists and 500 technicians were based here along with 1,000 more Belgian workers ranging from doctors to bricklayers. With the families and constant visitors to the station included the total population of would have ranged in the several thousands. Abandonment began in 1960 with independence and although Congolese attempted to maintain Yangambi, sometimes in co-operation with the Belgians, the facility began to fall into...
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
A pirogue on the Congo river at dusk. With few paved...
© Andrew McConnell
00145721
Yangambi
A pirogue on the Congo river at dusk. With few paved roads connecting such a vast land the Congo River serves as the country's main artery, with many towns and villages dotted along its banks and that of its tributaries.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Women selling plantain. Plantain is the most common...
© Andrew McConnell
00145776
Yangambi
Women selling plantain. Plantain is the most common form of banana in Congo and forms a staple part of people's diet throughout the region. For the most part it is boiled and then mashed to form a dish called Lituma.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Boiled plantain is mashed to make Lituma in a local...
© Andrew McConnell
00145779
Kisangani
Boiled plantain is mashed to make Lituma in a local restaurant. Plantain is the most common form of banana in Congo and forms a staple part of people's diet throughout the region.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Plantains are loaded onto pirogues in Kisangani....
© Andrew McConnell
00147134
Yangambi
Plantains are loaded onto pirogues in Kisangani. Plantain is the most common form of banana in Congo and forms a staple part of people's diet throughout the region. For the most part it is boiled and then mashed to form a dish called Lituma.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Boiled plantain is served at a local restaurant....
© Andrew McConnell
00145781
Kisangani
Boiled plantain is served at a local restaurant. Plantain is the most common form of banana in Congo and forms a staple part of people's diet throughout the region.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Palms seen at dusk as storm clouds gather over the...
© Andrew McConnell
00145744
Yangambi
Palms seen at dusk as storm clouds gather over the Congo basin.
|
