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 Chief Mogendo's court orchestra. "The Mangbetu continue the tradition of the court orchestra with the same kinds of instruments played early in the century. Here the orchestra, including conical skin drums (nabita), large flat slit drum (nemandru), slit drums standing on legs or pads (nekpokpo, also called talking drums), and a double iron bell (nengbongbo), plays while men and women perform dances and songs, part of all Mangbetu court music." [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.
sova.eepa.1973-001_ref29510
Local Numbers
EENG-I-1, 22.
General
Title source: Index card based on photographer's notes.
Local Note
Typed index card reads, "F 3 Mng. Mangbetu. Zaire, Medje (sw or Isiro). Circle dance, nebembo. Men wear loincloth of beaten bark (nogimegie) and caps with parrot feathers. 3/1970. EE. neg.no. I-1, 22." The card was written in 1977-79 by Archives staff using source provided by photographer.
Place
Africa
Congo (Democratic Republic)
Topic
Music
Musical instruments
Dance
Rites and ceremonies -- Africa
Clothing and dress -- Africa
Photographer
Elisofon, Eliot
Culture
Mangbetu (African people)
See more items in
Eliot Elisofon Field collection
Eliot Elisofon Field collection / Congo (Democratic Republic) / EENG / 1970
Extent
1 Negatives (photographic) (b&w, 35mm.)
Date
1970
Archival Repository
Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art
Identifier
EEPA.1973-001, Item EEPA EENG 02427
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_ref29510
Large EAD
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/xo75952a2b9-88d9-4736-b265-facd04bd5506
EEPA.1973-001
EEPA
Record ID
ebl-1536870822481-1536871012978-3