Chief Kabala of the Pende, D.R. Congo

The Pende come from one of the oldest royal kingdoms in central Africa dating back to the 17 th century. Chief Kabala, resplendent in leopard skins, raffia bark cloth, antique trading beads and leopard tooth necklaces, was passionate to preserve his peoples culture and was hosting an annual festival to bring all of the masks and ritual dances together in Gungu, his home.