The jouster, wearing only white clothing (like the rest of the crew), stands on a wooden platform (called a tintaine) that extends off the boat about 3m above the water, carrying a 70cm tall shield and a 2.8m lance with which to knock the opponent into the river or canal below.

BBC: Water jousting in southern France

This was ostensibly manned by the pro-Congolese government militia known as the Mai Mai after the water they douse themselves with to create a magical, bullet-proof shield.

BBC: NEWS | Africa | Retracing Che Guevara's Congo footsteps