Dwellings among the Mbuti people, Epulu, Ituri Forest, Congo (Democratic Republic)

Object Details

Topic: Cultural landscapes; Vernacular architecture; Domestic scenes; Households

See more items in: Eliot Elisofon Field collection; Eliot Elisofon Field collection / Congo (Democratic Republic) / EENG / 1972

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

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.

Scope and Contents: The photograph depicts a Mbuti camp with two distinct forms of dwelling, constructed using the same materials and same techniques. The fire is an essential and constantly maintained part of this dwelling. Usually the camp is made up of the more permanent type of shelter of the members of a family group. There are two types of construction, the largest of which requires the collaboration of several women to form the framework. The other, a smaller type of shelter, can be built by one woman, and the construction forming half a sphere is achieved by parallel arches interlaced in one direction with three other arches at 90 degrees. During his trip to Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo), Elisofon visited the Mbuti people at Epulu, South East Ituri Forest region. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for National Geographic Film 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.