Lega village on a hill. West of Kingulube village, Congo (Democratic Republic)

"The Lega village 'kyumo' is traditionally built on a hill in a more or less natural clearing 'kilungulabo' of primary rain forest. It consists of two parallel rows 'mikeke' of contiguous huts, a plan that creates an impression of longhouses. The open space 'mulungu' between the two rows of houses serves as main street, a dance floor, and a public place. The village has no granaries and no separate structures of other kinds. In the space near the village women may plant a few banana trees." [Biebuyck D., 1973: Lega Culture. University of California Press]. During his trip to Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo), Elisofon visited the Lega people at Kingulube 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, visiting Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo).