Traditional village among the Kuba people, near Bulape, Congo (Democratic Republic)

"Kuba houses have been described as basketry upon poles because the walls were constructed of highly decorated woven mats. Houses were rectangular in shape with saddle roofs and courtyards. The roofs and walls were constructed from woven palm fronds. Sliding doors were added at the end of the nineteenth century. Each house was divided into two rooms by a partition. The Kuba created attics by laying screens between the top of walls and the roof." [Toyin Falola, 2000: Africa. African Cultures and Societies before 1885. Carolina Academic Press]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for National Geographic and traveled to Africa from January 19, 1972 to mid April 1972.