Object Details
- Local Numbers
- F 3 MNG 25.1 EE 70
- General
- Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
- Local Note
- 07
- Frame value is 24.
- Slide No. F 3 MNG 25.1 EE 70
- Photographer
- Elisofon, Eliot
- Collection Photographer
- Elisofon, Eliot
- 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) / EECL / Medje Village, Congo (Democratic Republic)
- Extent
- 1 Slides (photographs) (col.)
- Date
- 1970
- Archival Repository
- Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art
- Identifier
- EEPA.1973-001, Item EEPA EECL 5557
- Type
- Archival materials
- Slides (photographs)
- Color slides
- Collection Citation
- Eliot Elisofon Field Collection, EEPA 1973-001, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution
- Collection Rights
- Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
- Genre/Form
- Color slides
- Scope and Contents
- The photograph depicts Chief Mogendo's court orchestra and dancers. "One of the most prominent features of Mangbetu court music is its formal organization. The musicians and dancers of the court orchestra are an integral part of the court. As elsewhere in Africa, there is no word for music alone. Each dance can be immediately recognized by its characteristic rhythm. The many song subjects and the dancers' steps provide variety. The dancers -both men and women- may form a circle or line up in opposed ranks, in parallel ranks, or in combination of formations. Versions of some of the court dances, such as mabolo, are also performed in other contexts." [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.
- Collection Restrictions
- Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
- Record ID
- ebl-1536955032661-1536955038906-1
