In Bunia, a city in Congo affected by an Ebola outbreak since May, the coffin market has undergone a radical transformation. More than a dozen carpentry workshops have dedicated themselves exclusively to coffin manufacturing, lined up along the city's streets.
Djo Limayo is a Congolese carpenter who works amid sawdust and the sound of electric saws, building coffins. Before the outbreak, he sold a limited quantity, but business has thrived significantly since then.
The wooden boxes are produced in different styles: some are decorated with gold imitations, others are simple, and there are also small versions for babies. The pieces are arranged on tables or stacked on shelves, a scene few want to contemplate.
The article highlights the somber paradox of the situation: while the city faces a public health crisis with the Ebola outbreak, coffin manufacturers see this tragedy as an opportunity for prosperity in their business.
