Enya chief, near Kisangani, Congo (Democratic Republic)

"Historically the Wagenia of Kisangani represent an amalgamation of three kin groups, the Bina Nsoko, the Bina Nkulu and, the Bina Lombe. The Wagenia have been characterized by a segmented structure from the beginning. they lack a central authority. Tshesé is mostly used to refer to the entire tribe, while Tshebanda refer to kin group comprising only a few extended family. Despite the existence of chefs or village heads, the norm is for decisions to be made by mutual consultation among all adult males. As a result, long palavers may take place." [Droogers A., 1980: The Dangerous Journey, Symbolic Aspects of Boys' Initiation among the Wagenia of Kisangani, Zaire. Mouton Publishers, The Hague].During his trip to Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo), Elisofon visited the Boyoma Falls near Kisangani. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon traveled to Africa from March 17, 1970 to July 17, 1970.