Chokwe man smoking water pipe, known as mutopa. Near Gungu, Congo (Democratic Republic)

"Chokwe water pipes are made from gourds. The bowl, which is made of terra cotta, is attached to a wooden stem. The wooden mouthpiece is at the top, and a hole has been drilled in the middle of the gourd so that air supply can be regulated with a finger. Among other things, water pipes were used by diviners. Smoking brought the diviner into contact with his ancestors and the spirit that assisted him." [Grootaers J.-L., Van der Zwan N., 2002: Forms of Wonderment. The Use of Tobacco in Africa. Afrika Museum, Berg en Dal]. This photograph was taken when Maya Bracher accompanied Eliot Elisofon on assignment for Westinghouse Film and traveled to Africa from October 26, 1970 to end of March 1971.