Explore Black History

2016; printed 2019

A color photograph of the Maison Dorcas Women’s Singing Group, by Platon. The photograph depicts a group of women joyfully singing against a blue sky background. There are twelve visible, or partially visible, women in the photograph standing in two rows. Most of the women appear to be singing and several have their hands raised above their heads. There are seven women standing in the first row, in the foreground. The woman on the far left is wearing a red daishiki tunic top with gold embellishments at the neckline, a matching long skirt and red headscarf her hair. Both of her hands are raised in the air, she has a happy expression on her face, and her mouth is open as if singing. The woman to her right is wearing a yellow, long sleeve blouse and a pink and yellow ankle length, Ankara fabric skirt with a repeating diamond and plaid pattern. Her proper right hand is raised, her chin is lifted, and she is looking upwards and towards the left. She has a happy expression on her face and her mouth is open as if singing. To the right of her is a woman standing with her arms at her sides. She is smiling and looking upwards. She is wearing a light gray and white, short sleeve shirt and a gold and white, ankle length, Ankara fabric skirt with a repeating black and blue stripe and swirl pattern. Just left of center is a woman standing with her hands at her sides and smiling slightly as she looks upwards. She is wearing a blue, white, yellow, and green Ankara fabric dress with a rectangular patchwork pattern and a primarily blue and white headscarf. Just right of center is a woman standing with her hands resting on the side of her thighs. She is wearing a green ankle length Ankara fabric dress with a blue snake pattern with a primarily gold and black headscarf. She is looking up and Her mouth is open as if singing. To the right is Nvunanwa Zirimwaga, wearing a red Ankara fabric dress with a yellow, black, and gold concentric circular patterns overlaid with and pattern of gold bead strands. Zirimwaga is also wearing a green and pink headscarf, a white rosary, and a black crochet pouch around her neck. She is facing the viewer, her eyes are partially closed, and her mouth is open is if singing. On the far right is the seventh woman, Nabintu Bigosi. Bigosi is wearing a black Ankara fabric dress with a large white flower pattern and a brown and white head scarf. Her hands are held palms up at chest level, her head is turned towards her proper right shoulder, her eyes are closed, and her mouth is open as if singing. The women are standing on walkway paved with white, roughly circular stones. Behind them is a dark blue sky with large white clouds. The photograph has a thick white border. The edition number, [5/12], is printed in the bottom left corner. The photographer’s signature and date, [Platon 19], is handwritten in the bottom right corner. Inside the border, at the bottom center, is the photographer’s embossed mark: [PLATON ? / EDITIONED ? / PRINT ?[encircled between two bands of embossed dots]]. The back of the photograph is plain and white.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Photographs and Still Images

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Platon

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2021.33.72

pigment prints
portraits

© Platon
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

pigment on paper

H x W (image): 15 1/4 × 21 1/2 in. (38.7 × 54.6 cm)
H x W (sheet): 20 × 24 in. (50.8 × 61 cm)
H x W (matted): 22 × 28 in. (55.9 × 71.1 cm)

Title • Maison Dorcas Women’s Singing Group

nmaahc_2021.33.72

NMAAHC

MAISON DORCAS WOMEN’S SINGING GROUP

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

2010s

Bigosi, Nabintu • Maison Dorcas • Panzi Hospital • Zirimwaga, Nvunanwa • Platon

New York City • United States • Sud-Kivu • North and Central America • Africa • Bukavu • Democratic Republic of the Congo

Photography • Women • Activism • Humanitarianism • Health • Violence • Music • Mental health • Singers (Musicians)

African Americans • Catholics

City • New York City • State • New York • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America • City • Bukavu • State • Sud-Kivu • Country • Democratic Republic of the Congo • Continent • Africa

Portraits • pigment prints

Images

Limited Use