Mangbetu wood carver, Medje village, Congo (Democratic Republic)

"In many cases carvers were also blacksmiths. Lang wrote in his field notes that the 'famous stools (nobarra),' carved from a single piece of wood, used by the Mangbetu women were made by special artists who enjoy a wide reputation. These stools accompany their owners (women only), on their visits and voyages and wherever they go. Important chiefs' women have a special woman to carry the stool behind them. They are surprisingly light." [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.