Rites built around a door-shield (keibi), part of the lutumbo lwa kindi initiations, Kabila village, Congo (Democratic Republic)

"In some areas a rite built around a door (keibi) is part of the lutumbo lwa kindi initiations. The dances and interpretations first address themselves to the door as such, to stress the piety of the young man who continually knocks at the door of his senior or his father to present gifts. Next, the interpretations call attention to the dots painted on the door, which suggest the 'dots of the leopard which frightened the goats and the animals.' This interpretation is meant to glorify the power of the bwami association. A preceptor carrying the door and sitting near the initiation hut is then joined by a group of dancers, who are referred to as the herd of elephants (idumbu) joining the little elephant (kalupepe). The dancers, who move around the initiation hut, have the power to make the initiations successful and to help the candidates through the initiations." [Biebuyck D., 1973: Lega Culture. University of California Press]. During his trip to Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo), Elisofon visited the Lega people near Shabunda and its surroundings in the Maniema district. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.