Photographer: Lamote, Carlo (1928 – 2017).
Title: untitled ( Danse Mfuku).
Date: 1959.
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Medium: unmounted gelatin silver print.
Size: 18,2 x 24,0 cm.
Condition: good.
Reference: CLIV1125/1.
Provenance: French collection.
Extra: typed note with identification in French and Dutch and stamp on verso. Congopresse 31.406/30.
Mfuku dance performed by the Basala Mpasu (Salampasu). The Mfuku dance is an important part of the cultural and spiritual traditions of the Salampasu people, and is often performed at ceremonies, rituals, and other important events as a way to honor the ancestors and promote harmony and unity within the community. The combination of the masks, clothing, and props creates a visually striking and impactful performance that is deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of the Salampasu people. The Basala Mpasu (Salampasu, meaning grasshopper wings) are named for the tattoos in the shape of grasshopper wings that adorn their foreheads. The Basala Mpasu are found west of the Lulua River.
Location: Salushimba.
Territory: Louiza.
Province: Kasaï (current name = Kasaï-Central). 
Photographer and cameraman Carlo Lamote (1928-2017)) left for Congo in 1950 to work for the colonial information service. For ten years, he travelled to every corner of the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi to highlight the colonial achievements. Propaganda is the name of the game, but he turned out to be an excellent photographer. Together with his colleague Henri Goldstein, Lamote has shaped our image of the Belgian Congo. Open any book about the 1950s in the colony and you will find their names under the photos.
After independence, he set up his own film production company and news agency, with Visnew, ABC and CBS as regular customers. He was also the founder of Congovox, the news service of the Congolese state broadcaster.