Photos made by DB during the one of  “Missions d’études” for the Land Tenure Commission for the Congo, from June, 1958 until October 9, 1958.

The photos were taken in Paulis territoire  (in Northeastern Congo), in villages that depended on the notable Modipima; some of the people live  in the savannah; others in forest galleries.

The elders are dressed in the typical manner, as I saw them in 1958, especially with the very fine raffia hat, with red parrot tail or other feathers, and holding a swatter (made of reeds bundled together and plaited) or a bow and arrows as a status symbol. The hats are indications of social status in the political and ritual structure of these groups.