Mangbetu musicians, Medje village, Congo (Democratic Republic)

The photograph depicts Chief Mogendo's court orchestra. "The Mangbetu continue the tradition of the court orchestra with the same kinds of instruments played early in the century. Here the orchestra, including conical skin drums (nabita), large flat slit drum (nemandru), slit drums standing on legs or pads (nekpokpo, also called talking drums), and a double iron bell (nengbongbo), plays while men and women perform dances and songs, part of all Mangbetu court music." [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.