Kuba Nyim (ruler) Mbopey Mabiintsh ma-Kyeen, Mushenge, Congo (Democratic Republic)

The photograph depicts Nyim Mbopey Mabiintsh ma-Kyeen [Mbop Mabiinc makyen, (Bope Mabinshe)] and two young boys, in his 'Mwaan Ambul', a small house which functions as a bedroom, and is located inside the palace 'Ntshyeem Abol Lakweem'. [Joseph Cornet, 1982: Art Royal Kuba, Edizioni Sipiel Milano]. "The king's palace included his meeting halls, storehouses, harem, personal dwelling, and the courtyards used for assemblies." [Jan Vansina, 1978: The Children of Woot, University of Wisconsin Press]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from January 8, 1947 to end of June 1947.

The full name of the Kuba Nyim depicted on the photograph is Mb'øp áMábinc máKyéén: aka Mbøp Mábinc. Most full names consist of three successive personal names: the king's own name, the name of his mother and the name of his mother's mother connected by particles meaning "of." The aka names are often used. The names are taken from Vansina Jan, Geschiedenis van de Kuba, Tervuren 1963 (genealogy 270,- 71; kings # 17 and following p.319-28).