Ritual Messengers

The Peoples of Central Africa


| The Luba | Luba Royal Emblems | Luba Masks | Luba Ritual Figures |

Anthropomorphic pendant. Luba. Shaba, Zaïre. Ivory.
© Africa-Museum, Tervuren

  Luba Ritual Figures

Luba ritual specialists use a range of sculpted figures for divining purposes, during healing and initiation rites or in resolving disputes or dealing with accusations of witchcraft. The Luba distinguish mikisi mahake figures, in which magic ingredients have been inserted, from mikisi mibasi such as the ivory pendants, which represent deceased relatives or spirits.


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