Dance celebration among the Mbuti people, Ituri Forest, near Beni, Congo (Democratic Republic)

Object Details

See more items in: Eliot Elisofon Field collection; Eliot Elisofon Field collection / Congo (Democratic Republic) / EECL / Beni, Congo (Democratic Republic)

Archival Repository: Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art

Collection Citation: Eliot Elisofon Field Collection, EEPA 1973-001, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution

Collection Rights: Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.

Scope and Contents: "Entertainment is, in fact, an activity, a form of work and also a form of ritual that is as important as the basic activities of hunting and gathering. The daily singing and dancing provide the order and cohesion that enables the Mbuti to live in peace with each other and with their neighbors and enables them to enjoy the fruits of their other labors. They use dance and song to celebrate not only every important event in the people's life cycle but also in their daily, most commonplace economic activities." [Turnbull C., 1985: Processional Ritual among the Mbuty Pygmies. The Drama Review, vol. 29, number 3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology]. During his trip to Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo), Elisofon visited the Mbuti people near Beni, South East Ituri Forest region. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon traveled to Africa from March 17, 1970 to July 17, 1970.

Collection Restrictions: Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.