Introduction / History

The Peri, also known as Ebhele or Pere, are an indigenous people living in the northern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They speak Bhele and belong to the wider Central African cultural world shaped by forest environments, river trade, and village-based life. Their history reflects long settlement, subsistence farming, and interaction with neighboring peoples.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Peri communities depend mainly on small-scale farming, fishing, and forest gathering. Families are extended and communal, with elders guiding social life. Celebrations center on harvests, marriages, and communal feasts. Diets rely on cassava, maize, plantains, fish, leafy vegetables, and palm products. Daily life reflects cooperation, hospitality, and strong kinship ties typical of rural Congolese societies.

In eastern DRC, Christians face severe persecution amid violent conflict. The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) – religious extremists with ties to the Islamic State group – have deliberately targeted Christian communities through massacres, abductions and the destruction of churches. Survivors report atrocities that are intended to eradicate the Christian presence.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Peri identify as Christian, largely influenced by historic Catholic and Protestant missions, while traditional beliefs in ancestral spirits and spiritual forces continue to shape worldview and daily practices.

What Are Their Needs?

Access to quality education, healthcare, clean water, and sustainable agriculture remains limited. Spiritual growth, biblical teaching, and trained local church leadership are also essential for long-term transformation. The Peri need access to the Scriptures, discipleship materials, and evangelism resources in the heart language.

Prayer Items

Pray for spiritual renewal, strong local churches, and discipleship movements. Pray asking God to provide improved health services, education, and economic stability. Pray for peace, unity, and resilience amid hardship. Pray for a faithful translation and wide distribution of the Scriptures, evangelism materials, and discipleship resources in the Bhele language. Pray that the Peri Christians would lead their communities for God's glory, preach the Gospel, teach the Bible, plant churches, and make disciples of their own nation and beyond.

Scripture Prayers for the Peri in Congo, Democratic Republic of.

References

Peri of Democratic Republic of the Congo (PGID: PG014706) - PeopleGroups.org
Bhele Language (BHY) – L1 & L2 Speakers, Status, Map, Endangered Level & Official Use | Ethnologue Free
Democratic Republic of the Congo - Ethnic Groups, Languages, Religion | Britannica