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Catalog Data

Photographer:
Gorlia, Emile E.O.  Search this
Collection Photographer:
Gorlia, Emile E.O.  Search this
Extent:
1 Glass negative (b&w, 10.5 x 8 cm.)
Culture:
Luba (African people)  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Glass negatives
Place:
Africa
Congo (Democratic Republic)
Date:
[ca. 1915]
Scope and Contents:
Judge E. Gorlia's third journey in the Belgian Congo from December 1917 to April 1920.
Ceremonial axes are important symbols of Luba kingship. Possession of previously delegated symbols as royal canes, axes or bracelets, was important for any client chief or lineage wishing to be recognized by the Luba royal court. Such prestige items could be worn over the shoulder or carried in ceremonies that recalled the mythical origin of Luba kingship traced to the cultural hero Kalala Llunga, who is also believed to have introduced metalworking technology and hunting techniques.
General:
Title source: Archives staff; title not provided by photographer.
Collection Restrictions:
Collection digitized and available online. Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
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.
Topic:
Leaders  Search this
Portraits  Search this
Clothing and dress -- Africa  Search this
Headdresses -- headgear -- Africa  Search this
Jewelry  Search this
Tools  Search this
Regalia  Search this
Vernacular architecture  Search this
Genre/Form:
Glass negatives
Collection Citation:
Emile Gorlia Photographs, EEPA 1977-001, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
EEPA.1977-001, Item EEPA 1977-0001-465
See more items in:
Emile Gorlia photographs
Emile Gorlia photographs / Third Trip to Congo
Archival Repository:
Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/xo70dbb0da0-2c27-406a-aff9-9e2c471640db
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-eepa-1977-001-ref1311