Object Details
- Local Numbers
- EENG-I-2, 10A.
- General
- Title source: Index card based on photographer's notes.
- Local Note
- Typed index card reads, "F 3 Mng. Mangbetu. Zaire, Medje (sw or Isiro). Circle dance, nebembo. Men wear loincloth of beaten bark (nogimegie) and caps with parrot feathers.3/1970. EE. neg.no. I-2, 10A." The card was written in 1977-79 by Archives staff using source provided by photographer.
- Photographer
- Elisofon, Eliot
- Collection Photographer
- Elisofon, Eliot
- Place
- Africa
- Congo (Democratic Republic)
- Topic
- Music
- Dance
- Rites and ceremonies -- Africa
- Clothing and dress -- Africa
- Photographer
- Elisofon, Eliot
- Culture
- Mangbetu (African people)
- See more items in
- Eliot Elisofon Field collection
- Eliot Elisofon Field collection / Congo (Democratic Republic) / EENG / 1970
- Extent
- 1 Negatives (photographic) (b&w, 35mm.)
- Date
- 1970
- Archival Repository
- Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art
- Identifier
- EEPA.1973-001, Item EEPA EENG 02440
- Type
- Archival materials
- Negatives (photographic)
- Black-and-white negatives
- Negatives
- 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.
- Genre/Form
- Black-and-white negatives
- Negatives
- Scope and Contents
- The photograph depicts Chief Mogendo's court orchestra and dancers. "The musicians and dancers of the Mangbetu court orchestra are an integral part of the court. As elsewhere in africa, there is no word for music alone. Each dance can be immediately recognized by its characteristic rhythm. The many song subjects and the dancers' steps provide variety. The dancers -both men and women- may form a circle or line up in opposed ranks, in parallel ranks, or in combination of formations. One of the most famous court dances is the mabolo dance, in which the king dances in front of his subjects, as well as a choreographed mocked battle, when the chief wants to demonstrate his power." [Schildkrout E., Keim C., 1990: African Reflections, University of Washington Press]. During his trip to Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo), Elisofon visited the Mangbetu people living in Medje village, southwest of Isiro. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for National Geographic and 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.
- Record ID
- ebl-1536870822481-1536871012982-1
