Lendu

The Lendu are an ethnic group of northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, concentrated mainly in Ituri Province, with communities in districts such as Djugu and Irumu. They are one of the region’s largest populations and have long been closely tied to the agrarian landscape of Ituri.

Language and culture: The Lendu speak the Lendu language, used in daily communication within communities; many Lendu also speak Lingala or French in larger social and administrative contexts. They are predominantly rural and practice farming, growing crops such as cassava, maize, millet, and yams, with supplementary hunting and fishing in some areas. The social structure is organized around clans and customary authorities, and religious life is a mix of Christian denominations (primarily Catholic and Protestant) alongside traditional beliefs.

History and conflicts: The Lendu are a central group in the Ituri region’s complex ethnic dynamics, most prominently facing intercommunal violence with the Hema during the Ituri conflict that intensified in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The violence, driven by competition for land and resources, drew international attention and involvement, including peace agreements and security interventions aimed at stabilizing the area. Since then, stabilization efforts by the Congolese government and international partners have sought to address humanitarian needs and restore governance.

Contemporary status: Today, many Lendu communities continue to pursue agriculture and local livelihoods, while some remain affected by displacement and insecurity in Ituri. The Lendu are part of the broader Ituri mosaic of communities navigating post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding.