In the bustling streets of Kinshasa, a controversial practice is gaining momentum, arousing both fascination and repulsion: the consumption of dog and cat meat. For some, it is a choice of necessity in the face of soaring prices for traditional meat, while for others, it is a source of vigor and power, even supernatural powers.
At the heart of this complex debate are residents of the Congolese capital who defend or condemn the practice. Louise, a dietician living in Barumbu, justifies the consumption of dog and cat meat by emphasizing its protein content, presenting it as an affordable nutritional alternative. However, the arguments in favor of this practice are not only economic. Some cite aphrodisiac, symbolic or even supernatural virtues associated with this “taboo” meat.
For vendors, such as Tshipamba in Limete, selling dog and cat meat has become a means of subsistence, helping to cope with the economic challenges of everyday life. But beyond the simple financial question, popular beliefs attribute mystical powers to these meats, encouraging some to consume them to strengthen their virility or develop their aggressiveness.
However, behind this practice lie risks, highlighted by health professionals such as veterinarian Timothée. The health consequences of consuming dog and cat meat, according to him, are multiple and potentially dangerous, particularly in the case of meat coming from sick or vaccinated animals.
Finally, the question of hygiene remains a concern, particularly in informal places of consumption where these meats are often sold. Louise, the dietician, warns of the risks of diseases linked to poor hygiene in the preparation and sale of these meats.
Beyond the controversy, this practice raises essential questions about food, culture and beliefs. Dog and cat meat, far from being limited to a simple question of food, encourages us to reflect on our perceptions, our food choices and our interactions with the world around us. Certainly, this complex subject deserves a deep and nuanced reflection, far from hasty judgments and easy stigmatizations.
In the streets of Kinshasa, between traditions, necessities and beliefs, dog and cat meat continues to provoke passionate debates and deep reflections, inviting everyone to question their own relationship to food and the diversity of cultures that enrich our world.