The Turumbu territory lies in the Zairian Basin, an ecologically rich region with a wide variety of plants, animals and microorganisms.
They also hunt, fish and gather protein-based foods, manufacture alcoholic beverages and handicrafts and engage in petty trade.
Turumbu farmers living along the road may have to walk up to 23 kilometres (14 mi) to reach a market im Yangambi or Lotokila.
Another group living deeper in the forest brings their produce to a market near Weko twice weekly for sales to traders who have travelled the 42 kilometres (26 mi) from Yangambi.
[citation needed] They are known for the enormous iron blades that are given as gifts to the family of a bride, often up to 5 feet (1.5 m) long and weighing as much as 4.5 pounds (2.0 kg).