Kuba warrior dressed for the state visit of the Nyim (ruler) Kot a Mbweeky III, Bungamba village, Congo (Democratic Republic)

The photograph depicts high-ranking Kuba warrior wearing traditional costume, as well as symbolic adornements, for the state visit of the Nyim Kot a Mbweeky III. The hat of the iyol is distinguished by four large rounded tufts of raffia. Sometimes the hat is disguised by feathers and skins which completely cover the head and the back of the neck. Furthermore, The type of necklace, known as ishep, is only worn by titled soldiers." [Cornet J., 1982: Art Royal Kuba, Edizioni Sipiel Milano]. "The emphasis on titleholding and the competition for and the subsequent prestige that accrues to titleholders is a dominant aspect of Kuba culture (Vansina, 1978; Binkley, 1987). Kuba hats are important visual manifestations of Kuba ideas about ethnicity and leadership. Each tiled position has emblems, symbols, and praise names associated with it." [Darish P., Binkley D., 1995: Headdresses and Titleholding Among the Kuba, Crowning Achievements, UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History]. 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.