Object Details
Photographer
Elisofon, Eliot
Collection Photographer
Elisofon, Eliot
Collection Citation
Eliot Elisofon Field Collection, EEPA 1973-001, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution
Scope and Contents
The photograph depicts Nyim Kot a Mbweeky III wearing abacost, which is the name for the male attire favored by Mobutu and promoted as part of the authenticity campaign, consisting of a short-sleeved suit worn without a tie. The word abacost is derived from the French a bas le costume, or "down with the suit." During his trip to Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo), Elisofon visited the village of Bungamba (Bongamba, Bongaam) between Mweka and Luebo, in the Kuba region. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon traveled to Africa from March 17, 1970 to July 17, 1970.
The full name of the Kuba Nyim depicted on the photograph is Kwεt áMbwε'ky René (III): aka Køt áMbwε'ky. Most full names consist of three successive personal names: the king's own name, the name of his mother and the name of his mother's mother connected by particles meaning "of." Only this ruler has a Christian name. The aka names are often used. The names are taken from Vansina Jan, Geschiedenis van de Kuba, Tervuren 1963 (genealogy 270,- 71; kings # 17 and following p.319-28).
sova.eepa.1973-001_ref14202
Local Numbers
C 3 KBA 15.3 EE 70
General
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note
A30
Frame value is 14.
Slide No. C 3 KBA 15.3 EE 70
Place
Africa
Congo (Democratic Republic)
Topic
Clothing and dress -- Africa
Portraits
Leaders
Headdresses -- headgear -- Africa
Photographer
Elisofon, Eliot
Culture
Kuba (African people)
See more items in
Eliot Elisofon Field collection
Eliot Elisofon Field collection / Congo (Democratic Republic) / EECL / Bungamba Village, Congo (Democratic Republic)
Extent
1 Slides (photographs) (col.)
Date
1970
Archival Repository
Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art
Identifier
EEPA.1973-001, Item EEPA EECL 2226
Type
Archival materials
Slides (photographs)
Color slides
Collection Rights
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. Where noted, some images remain under the copyright of Life/Shutterstock. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Genre/Form
Color slides
Collection Restrictions
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
EEPA.1973-001_ref14202
Large EAD
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/xo7b2b219aa-418e-4b77-b2a0-26c9fe64d6af
EEPA.1973-001
EEPA
Record ID
ebl-1536955032661-1536955037616-2