Mangbetu men's clothing, Medje village, Congo (Democratic Republic)

The photograph depicts man wearing traditional barkcloth 'nogi'. "The main item of men's clothing was the 'nogi', a piece of barkcloth wrapped between and around the legs and held in place at the waist with a belt." "Mangbetu hats combine basketry with feathers in various ways. Most hats were made to be purely ornamental, but some had special meanings." [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.