Kimbanguist church people, dedication of new religious headquarters and theological school, Kinshasa, Congo (Democratic Republic)

Object Details

Topic: Rites and ceremonies -- Africa; Mod. architecture/cityscape -- Photographs; Portraits; Religion

See more items in: Eliot Elisofon Field collection; Eliot Elisofon Field collection / Congo (Democratic Republic) / EECL / Kinshasa, 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: "Kimbanguism is based on the Bible and the concept of spiritual salvation. It mixes some traditional African practices but follows the law of Moses and calls for the destruction of fetishes and an end to sorcery and polygamy. The church was formed by Simon Kimbangu, originally a member of the british Baptist Church, following a vision in 1921. Like many Congolese churches, Kimbanguism was restricted by the Zairian government in the early 1970s." [F. Scott Bobb, 1999: Historical Dictionary of Democratic Republic of Congo, The Scarecrow Press, Inc.]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for National Geographic and traveled to Africa from January 19, 1972 to mid April 1972.

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