luba society

A 19th century Royal Spear portraying a female figure (Mulumbu) from the Luba, Democratic Republic of the Congo at the Seattle Art Museum is a great example of the inherent value placed upon women of this society. Standing 53.5 inches tall, made of wood and metal the female figure stands at the intersection of the metal blade and the wooden staff, symbolizing her role as an intermediary between two worlds. Her closed eyes and facial expression suggest a meditative state, and she holds her hands to her breasts—suggesting that in Luba culture women guard essential knowledge

A society can be understood more completely once its culture is taken into account. Culture is comprised of a system of symbols and information. The capacity to create and use symbol systems among the Luba culture was present in the meanings behind many of their artifacts. Another artifact of importance to the Luba people is called a Memory Board. A Memory Board is made of beads and uses different color beads for the different tribes or people. Not everyone is told how to read or interpret the memory board thus creating a symbolic way to transfer information among a tribe of Luba people.

Many of the Memory Boards created by members of the Luba tribe were produced by the older members within their society. This alone suggests that the average life span of the Luba people is high. A functional network of relationships among the members of the society may be a contributing factor to their healthy lifespan. Each individual within this society appears to have his/her own niche. Whether it is the doctor who administers the medicine found in the double cup created by a woman of the tribe, or the warrior behind the wooden mask, each member of Luba society contributes to its survival.

In contrast to the Western world, where it is made for aesthetic reasons and signed by the artist, African art is made for a function and is not signed by an individual. African culture art is an imperative part of every day life and helps to tell the story of its creators. The representation of women in Luba sculpture is widespread and correlates to their importance in society. Although African art is often considered primitive, this is an incorrect assumption. These pieces of art are the effects of a highly evolved society and complex practices. Luba artwork arouses curiosity because it tells so much about its society and culture. The use of sociological theory to interpret and understand the Luba society through their artwork helps to create an accurate description and improved understanding of specific events traditional in Luba society.

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