Mbuti hunter's celebration after successful hunt, Epulu, Ituri Forest, Congo (Democratic Republic)

"Entertainment is, in fact, an activity, a form of work and also a form of ritual that is as important as the basic activities of hunting and gathering. The daily singing and dancing provide the order and cohesion that enables the Mbuti to live in peace with each other and with their neighbors and enables them to enjoy the fruits of their other labors. They use dance and song to celebrate not only every important event in the people's life cycle but also in their daily, most commonplace economic activities." [Turnbull C., 1985: Processional Ritual among the Mbuty Pygmies. The Drama Review, vol. 29, number 3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology]. 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.