LUBA TRIBAL INFORMATION

LUBA

The
Luba Empire was founded in 1585, in the Upemba depression by King Kongolo. His
nephew and successor, Kalala ilunga, rapidly expanded the kingdom to encompass
all the territories on the upper left bank of the Lualaba River. At its peak,
about one million people living in several tribes, were paying tribute to the
Luba King. At the end of the 19th century, with the advance of the Ovimbundu
people from Angola and the raids of the East African Muslim slavers, the empire
weakened and in fact, collapsed when the Belgian colonies took control. With
the assistance of a court of notables, called Bamfumus, the king, known as the
Mulopwe, reinged over his subjects through clan Kings called Balopwe. These
clan Kings could symbolically become the Mulopwe’s son which created client
states through the empire. A secret society, Bambudye, kept the memory of the
Luba Empire alive and permeated throughout Luba territory, bonding the diverse
populations together. Luba empire economy was complex –it was based on a
tribute system and the redistribution of resources from agriculture, fishing,
hunting and mining. The production of salt and iron was under the king
‘control.

LUBA STATUE

Luba
artists carved kneeling or standing female figures, called Mboko, who were
usually holding cups for divination purposes. Standing figures, believed to
represent forest spirts or ancestors, are rare and are usually covered by an
oily patina that comes from continuous libations.

EVERY DAY OBJECTS

The
Luba produced numerous prestige objects anthropomorphic caryatid stools, bow
stands, spears, staffs, pipes, axes and neckrests which were adorned with
figures and were used during official ceremonies or to display wealth.