CONGO DRC

LUBA - Rare Calabash KABWELULU

Among the Lubas and Hemba, these anthropomorphic gourds were used during divination rites
The half figurine is “fetishized”, “magical” materials are inserted into the dedicated cavity, at the top of the head

The Luba are a great people in eastern DRC
Their caryatid seats, their cup holders, chiefs' sticks, arrow holders, adzes and cult figures are very famous and among the most valued objects in African Art.

Characteristics:

TYPE OF OBJECT: Divination calabash (Kabwelulu)

ETHNICAL GROUP: Luba, Baluba

ORIGINE: Congo Drc

MATERIAL: Wood, calabash, cord

DIMENSIONS: About 11 3/4 inches high (30 cm)

CONDITION: Medium
The calabash is split in two places.
(see the last 2 pictures)

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY :

- LUBA, aux sources du Zaire, François NEYT,

Editions du Musee Dapper, 1993.

- MEMORY, Luba Art and the Making of History, Mary Nooter Roberts, 1996