Object Details
Photographer
Elisofon, Eliot
Creator
Kwεt áMbwε'ky René (III)
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 Kot a Mbweeky III wearing royal dress 'labot latwool'; royal headdress known as 'Shody'; necklace 'Lashyaash' made of leopard teeth; sword 'Mbombaam', lance 'Mbwoom Ambady' and other items of royal adornement. [Cornet J., 1982: Art Royal Kuba, Edizioni Sipiel Milano]. During his trip to Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo), Elisofon visited the village of Bungamba (Bongamba, Bongaam) between Mweka and Luebo, in the Kuba region. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon traveled to Africa from March 17, 1970 to July 17, 1970.
The full name of the Kuba Nyim depicted on the photograph is Kwεt áMbwε'ky René (III): aka Køt áMbwε'ky. 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." Only this ruler has a Christian name. 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_ref35671
Local Numbers
EENG-I-35, 16A.
General
Title source: Index card based on photographer's notes.
Local Note
Typed index card reads, "G 3 Kba. Kuba. Zaire, Bungabo. Kot aMbweeky III (ruled 1969-). King (Nyim) in state dress used for his 1970 coronation. 4/22/1970. EE. neg.no. I-35, 16A." The card was written in 1977-79 by Archives staff using source provided by photographer.
Place
Africa
Congo (Democratic Republic)
Topic
Clothing and dress -- Africa
Headdresses -- headgear -- Africa
Weapons
Leaders
Regalia
Photographer
Elisofon, Eliot
Creator
Kwεt áMbwε'ky René (III)
Culture
Kuba (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 08593
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_ref35671
Large EAD
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/xo775104674-00a5-469b-9272-0dfc9f10266b
EEPA.1973-001
EEPA
Record ID
ebl-1536870822481-1536871013295-0