Statue (Luba).
Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Wood, pearls, fabric, height: 26 cm.
Private collection.
Women serve an essential role in Luba culture. Women hold the
power: they perpetuate the cult, control alliances, and preserve
the royal secrets close to their breasts in their hands. Present in
myths surrounding the Viyé, the female spirit guards religion,
supports the group, and holds the political power (the royal
wives manage alliances), so their figures are used in rituals.
Dignitary cane (Luba).
Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Wood, copper, height: 162 cm.
Private collection.The canes of kings, chiefs, dignataries, or soothsayers tell the
story and geneology of families, lineages, and chiefdoms
working as memory-aides. The figure represents the king while
the pole evokes the uninhabited bush and the geometrical parts
represent both political and administrative centres.