Lega women of kanyamwa rank wearing the lukunia headdress to indicate their position. Near Kalima, Congo (Democratic Republic)

The photograph depicts women of kanyamwa rank taking part in a dance performance (kamondo) which preceded the initiation ceremonies of a male candidate to yananio grade. "Women do not have a symbol that identifies them as Bwami members in the same way that the skullcap identifies a male member. Only when a woman reaches the highest Bwami level (Bunyamwa) does she receive a headdress called lukunia. This consists of a wide band encircling the head, which is made of fiber and covered with beads, cowries, buttons, and occasionally other materials." [Cameron E., 2001: Art of the Lega. UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History, Los Angeles]. During his trip to Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo), Elisofon visited the Lega people at Pangi and its surroundings in the Maniema district. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for American Broadcasting Company and traveled to Africa from early December 1966 to early February 1967.