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Mangbetu musicians, Medje village, Congo (Democratic Republic)

National Museum of African Art

Object Details

Local Numbers
EENG-I-3, 9.
General
Title source: Index card based on photographer's notes.
Local Note
Typed index card reads, "F 3 Mng. Mangbetu. Zaire, Medje (sw or Isiro). Musicians accompanying circle dance, nebembo. 3/1970. EE. neg.no. I-3, 9." The card was written in 1977-79 by Archives staff using source provided by photographer.
Photographer
Elisofon, Eliot
Collection Photographer
Elisofon, Eliot
Place
Africa
Congo (Democratic Republic)
Topic
Music
Musical instruments
Headdresses -- headgear -- 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) / 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 02464
Type
Archival materials
Negatives (photographic)
Black-and-white negatives
Negatives
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
Black-and-white negatives
Negatives
Scope and Contents
The photograph depicts Chief Mogendo's court orchestra. "The Mangbetu continue the tradition of the court orchestra with the same kinds of instruments played early in the century. Here the orchestra, including conical skin drums, large flat slit drum (nemandru), slit drums standing on legs or pads (also called talking drums), rattles, and a double iron bell (nengbongbo), plays while men and women perform dances and songs, part of all Mangbetu court music." [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.
Related link
Record ID
ebl-1536870822481-1536871012988-3
Metadata Usage
CC0
GUID
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/xo7f744f3cc-a7cc-4db3-98a4-ba146c065e91

Related Content

  • Eliot Elisofon Field collection

Mangbetu musicians, Medje village, Congo (Democratic Republic)
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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