Title

African Tribal Art, Luba Animal  from Democratic Republic of Congo

Types of object

mask

County of origin

Democratic Republic of Congo

People

Luba

Materials

Wood

Approximate size

36 cm 14 inches high 20 cm--8 inches wide/weight:1kg                     

Overall condition

Good, Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage

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.