Object Details
Photographer
Elisofon, Eliot
Collection Photographer
Elisofon, Eliot
Collection Citation
Eliot Elisofon Field Collection, EEPA 1973-001, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution
Scope and Contents
The photograph depicts Nyim Mbopey Mabiintsh ma-Kyeen [Mbop Mabiinc makyen, (Bope Mabinshe)] wearing royal dress 'Bwaantshy'; royal headdress known as 'Ntshuum Aniym'; necklace 'Lashyaash' made of leopard teeth; sword 'Mbombaam' and lance 'Mbwoom Ambady'; as well as drums of reign 'Pelambish'. [Cornet J., 1982: Art Royal Kuba, Edizioni Sipiel Milano]. 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).
sova.eepa.1973-001_ref28249
Local Numbers
Negative number 22923, R-5, 12.
General
Title source: Index card based on photographer's notes.
Local Note
Typed index card reads, "C 3 Kba. Kuba. Zaire, Mushenge. Nyim Mbop Mabiinc maMbeky (Bope Mabinshe) ruled 1939-d.1969. Flanked by royal drums. 1/20/1947. EE. neg.no. 22923, R-5, 12. Note the following correction: The Kuba king pictured here is Mbop Mabiinc maKyen, who ruled from 1939-1969." The card was written in 1977-79 by Archives staff using source provided by photographer.
Place
Africa
Congo (Democratic Republic)
Topic
Portraits
Leaders
Regalia
Beadwork
Clothing and dress -- Africa
Headdresses -- headgear -- Africa
Photographer
Elisofon, Eliot
Culture
Kuba (African people)
See more items in
Eliot Elisofon Field collection
Eliot Elisofon Field collection / Congo (Democratic Republic) / EENG / 1947
Extent
1 Negatives (photographic) (b&w, 2 1/4 x 2 1/4inches.)
Date
1947
Archival Repository
Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art
Identifier
EEPA.1973-001, Item EEPA EENG 01156
Type
Archival materials
Negatives (photographic)
Black-and-white negatives
Negatives
Collection Rights
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. Where noted, some images remain under the copyright of Life/Shutterstock. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Genre/Form
Black-and-white negatives
Negatives
Collection Restrictions
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
EEPA.1973-001_ref28249
Large EAD
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/xo7920c26df-cbcf-4168-a57a-ed8061576637
EEPA.1973-001
EEPA
Record ID
ebl-1536870822481-1536871012571-1