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Theme
headdress, body modifications, clothing/ornament, religious life, rites and beliefs, village sceneries, family/family life, events, body art
Photographer
Henry Rosy
Place of production
Democratic Republic of the Congo > Equateur > Ubangi > Congo-Ubangi
Culture
Ngbaka
Legend
The mothers say goodbye to their sons before they leave for the circumcision ceremony. They are painted in white, the colour of mourning, because their children are going to "die" and then be "reborn" as adults a few months later. Furthermore, if a boy should die during his confinement, his mother will only be told during the ritual's closing ceremony.
Acquisition related person
Inforcongo, as donor
Date of acquisition
1951-04-04
Original legend
Cérémonies de la circoncision chez les Bwaka. La mère des "Gaza-No" fait les dernières recommandations à ses fils. Elle leur fait un petit discours "jusqu'à ce jour vous n'étiez encore que des enfants, mais maintenant vous allez devenir des hommes, et j'espère que vous n'oublierez pas que j'ai toujours été très bonne pour vous. Souvenez vous en quand vous serez des hommes".
Inventory number
EP.0.0.13964
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