Painting of the Ituri rainforest, home of the Mbuti people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire), by Anne Eisner Putnam. Heavy oil palette and brush, acrylic possibly used; signed "Anne Eisner", lower right.
Wooden face mask decorated with white, blue, and red paint; mouth carved in an oval, eyes have triangular lids with blue dots, chin has blue dots, cheeks have red and white dots, forehead has blue dots and white V-lines, straw beard; string attached to two nails in back; origin Ndaka people of the Ituri rainforest.
Ten-note barrel-shaped sound box, also known as board piano or thumb piano and lukembi, likembe, or kalimba; wooden with keys made from spoon handles, bicycle spikes, or metal keys hammered to the desired shape; keys plucked with thumb and fingers; open at top and closed at bottom; one hole in bottom and one on back; semi-circular red markings on sides and top, rectangles etched on sides; metal wrapped around keys; origin Bira people of the Ituri rainforest.
Twelve-note sound box, also known as thumb piano, board piano, lukembi, or kalimba; wooden with keys made from spoon handles, bicycle spikes, or metal keys hammered to the desired shape; keys plucked with thumb and fingers; one hole on base and one on back; one key has a coil wrap; crudely decorated with lines and scratch-like marks on back; origin Ngwanda people of Central Africa.
Miniature five-string harp with wooden arm and base; base covered with skin that has been nailed down, arm has leopard type decoration, base has markings, hole cut out on top of base; origin Mangbetu people of the Ituri forest.
Wooden figure of a leopard man standing over an initiate of the nkumbi circumcision ritual; larger figure has spotted covering, slits for eyes and openings for arms, textured knee-length pants; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Wooden nkumbi household stool used in initiation with two pieces of wood lying on top; four legs, darker in color, curve upward, 3 holes in each side on the darker band of color; one piece of wood is inscribed "Innsbruck Sept 27 1953"; origin Bira people of the Ituri rainforest.
Sixteen-note sound box, also known as board piano or thumb piano and lukembi, likembe, or kalimba; wooden with keys made from spoon handles, bicycle spikes, or metal keys hammered to the desired shape; keys plucked with thumb and fingers; two holes under the keys and some decoration on the side; inscription "RUMBA OPIKA MIE LEON L24B1954.BUNIA"; origin Bira people of the Ituri rainforest.
Twelve-note sound box, also known as thumb piano, board piano, lukembi, or kalimba; wooden with keys made from spoon handles, bicycle spikes, or metal keys hammered to the desired shape; keys plucked with thumb and fingers; two holes on bottom and one on back; crudely decorated with lines and scratch-like marks; origin Lese people of the Ituri rainforest.
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Reddish brown with faint orange lines, design is made of small rectangles separated by two lines; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Reddish orange and brown with intricate geometric patterns on light brown background; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Wooden figure of Mbuti carrying a well-carved hunting net, eyes closed, on an oval base; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Elephant hunting spear with wooden handle, metal blade, and cord wrapped around the handle attaching the blade; thought to be made by villagers and used by the Mbuti of the Ituri forest.
Hunting spear with wooden handle, metal blade with intricate shape, and cord wrapped around the handle attaching the blade; origin Bira people of the Ituri rainforest.
Wooden stool supported by four nearly identical carved figures with red mouths; three figures hold the seat of the stool with extended arms; geometric design at base and top; origin Ituri rainforest.
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Brown with darker brown geometric designs; orign Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Brown with geometric squares; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Wooden figure with both animal and human features, bowl-shaped headpiece; wood is soft, appears to be a fetish figure; origin Ndaka people, Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Wooden male fetish figure, hands joined together under chin, helmet-like head covering, rectangular box cut into center; origin Epulu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Wooden figure that has both animal and human features, standing on two legs with elongated snout, 6 large teeth, head cover with pieces resembling horns and a protruding piece in the middle; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Wooden stool used in nkumbi initiation; bottom has three incised marks on each side, handle carved on one side near the center column, and incised area in the middle of the top; origin Bira people of the Epulu region of the Ituri rainforest.
Wooden stool used in nkumbi initiation graduation; top is scalloped, base is square, four decorated block shapes between base and top; etched into one side is "H_ _ _ _ _"; origin Epulu region of the Ituri rainforest.
Wooden initation doctor's mask with beard; ears, eyes, nose, and mouth all have holes; eyebrows carved down to the mouth in a series of reverse S's creating cheek bones; touched the nose is a carved vertical band; ears protude inward to eyes; faded white dots over entire face.
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Tan in color with random brown stars on one side and brown stars connected by lines on the other side; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Brown with spotted design, one small area of geometric designs; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Reddish brown cloth, various symbols, designs in black and reddish orange; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Intricate geometric pattern throughout with a random design; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Wooden head with both animal and human features; mane, tusks, and nose of an animal, ears, mouth, and eyes of a human; geometric design on base, back is plain, soft wood; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Wooden dog bell with wooden clapper, cord, and leather strap; bell has pattern on one side; origin Mbo people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Three pieces of dark brown cloth stiched together with light brown raffia; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Wooden face decorated with white paint, straw beard, nose holes; face has white dots, outlined nose and lips with lines in the forehead area; string attached through holes in the back; origin Ndaka people of the Ituri rainforest.
Wooden face decorated with white paint, straw beard, nose holes; face has white dots, outlined nose and lips; carved crown decorated with white strips; string attached through holes in the back; origin Ndaka people of the Ituri rainforest.
Wooden imitation toy shield with rings painted on front and back; carved with handle on back; handle and piece on front painted black; origin Ituri rainforest.
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Reddish brown background, triangles in black plaid, black hooks, and various leaves and stars. One side appears to be unfinished. Origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Gourd bowl for palm wine; a braided leather handle is connected through two holes; origin Mbo people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Clay pipe with long wooden stem; design engraved around bowl, copper coiled around end of stem; origin Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire), Mbuti people.
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Light background with red and gray lines; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Wooden face mask decorated with white paint and straw beard; chin and cheeks have cobweb design, eyes are small triangles, elongated nose, forehead has horizontal dashes, headpiece has vertical white lines; broken string attached to one nail, straw attached through two small holes; origin Ndaka people of the Ituri rainforest.
Skin carrying bag designed like a large pocket book, made to be worn through the arms on a back, straps crisscross on back; origin Mbuti people of the Ituri rainforest.
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Reddish brown background, wavy lines with circles and half circles; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Wooden bowl with two lids; design carved around outside of bow, which is on a pedestal base; both lids have intricate designs with carved knobs on the top; origin Ituri rainforest.
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Light brown background with red and brown dyed intricate design, geometric shapes, straight lines, and stars; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Light brown background, half is decorated with brown circles and half with lines and circles; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Dark brown lines with darker brown dye and geometric patterns painted on lines of various shapes; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Small piece of brown bark cloth with painted black squares, red dots, and red and black lines; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
One-string stick fiddle (goge); a string passes over a small bridge placed close to the edge of the gourd, which rotates; ornately carved handle, origin Ituri forest.
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Half of the cloth is spotted and the other half is made of sections of stars divided by lines. Pale brown background and dark brown dye. Origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Light brown background with black dye, various shapes and two orange lines; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Brown background with black lines, red lines, and black outlines throughout; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Light brown background with dark brown stripes; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Light brown background with dark brown design; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Reddish brown cloth, various geometric designs; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Ten-note barrel-shaped sound box, also known as board piano or thumb piano and lukembi, likembe, or kalimba; wooden with keys made from spoon handles, bicycle spikes, or metal keys hammered to the desired shape; keys plucked with thumb and fingers; very decorated; bottom has hole with eleven additional holes encircling it; inscription "CT" and "CP11D" carved into back of wood; origin Ndaka people of the Ituri rainforest.
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Light background with red dots, gray lines, and triangles with lines; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
A piece of bark cloth, a non-woven textile made by beating the inner bark of certain trees and bushes until it is fine and soft. Tan background with dark brown design; origin Ituri forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
One-string fiddle with skin head which is nailed to a painted wooden base; open bottom, red and black geometric design around base, string still attached; origin Ituri rainforest.
Mortar with handle which extends in one piece from rim to base; top rim decorated with spaced parallel lines, side of rim has cut-outs; base is scalloped; origin Bira people of the Ituri rainforest.
Executioning sword with metal blade and wooden handle; decorative cord in several colors wraps around handle, pieces of red hair are attached through holes in the handle; origin Bira people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
Man's knife with metal blade in a two-sectioned wooden sheath which is wrapped in some areas with metal lacing; wooden carved handle; appears to be carved from the same piece of wood; origin Bira people of the Ituri rainforest.
