Mangbetu
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Mangbetu are a people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, living in Orientale Province. The majority live in the villages of Rungu, Poko, Watsa, Niangara, and Wamba.
[edit] Language
Their tribal language is Mangbetu, called Nemangbetu in their language and Kingbetu in the regional language of Lingala. Mangbetu is a member of the Nilo-Saharan language group.
[edit] Culture
The Mangbetu are known for their highly developed art and music. One instrument associated with and named after them is the Mangbetu harp or guitar. See [1] and. [2] for images. One harp has sold for over $100,000.[3]
Musicologists have also sought out the Mangbetu to make video and audio recordings of their music.[4]
The Mangbetu stood out to European explorers because of their elongated heads. Traditionally, babies' heads were wrapped tightly with cloth in order to give them this distinctive appearance. The practice began dying out in the 1950s with the arrival of more Europeans and westernization. Because of this distinctive look, it is easy to recognize Mangbetu figures in African art.
