The eastern Congo River basin encompasses parts of three African nations: Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Angola. The history of the region is linked to its geography. Characterized by savanna and woodland, the landscape is marked by streams, lakes, and rivers. Territories have been defined by the natural markers of waterways, and chiefs and elders have long sought to control strategic crossings. Notably, the great Congo and Kasai rivers facilitated the transmission of political ideas and artistic styles.

Identities and Politics

The peoples of the eastern Congo basin have usually experienced society at the local level--in villages or clusters of hamlets. The important role of initiation societies in local government has been reflected in the art of the Pende, Lega, Luba, and Songye. More politically centralized groups--such as the kingdoms of the Kuba and the Lunda empire to which the Chokwe were affiliated--have produced arts for elite courts: sculpture and regalia.

Ethnic Groups in the Collection

Tetela

The Tetela are one of several distinct groups, such as the Mbole and Ndengese, which together form a complex of peoples known as the Mongo. They claim a common ancestor and share many cultural traits. The art of the Mongo group is known for its carved utilitarian objects, weaving, and metalwork. Figurative imagery tends to be schematic and polychrome, appearing mainly where Mongo groups adjoin societies such as the Kuba and Luba.

Pende

Pende art has a number of categories: masks, architectural elements, figures, divination instruments, chiefs' regalia, and utilitarian forms. Western Pende art tends to be relatively naturalistic, while eastern Pende art is more conventionalized. Many Pende masks are used in the men's initiation system called mukunda. The masks may represent a variety of village personalities, as well as wild and domestic animals.

Kuba

Kuba art had an important role in the life of the royal court. The most famous examples are the portrait figures of Kuba kings and utilitarian objects--such as palm wine cups, horns, boxes, stools, and weapons--richly decorated for elite patrons. Various kinds of figures representing mythic ancestors appear in public dances and during the initiation of young men.

Luba/Hemba/Songye

The art of the Luba-speaking peoples has most often been in the form of prestige regalia such as staffs, stools, and bow rests. Sculpture is often relatively naturalistic. The Hemba had large and powerful chiefdoms. The importance of the chief was demonstrated through the use of freestanding male figures, which were kept and cared for by members of the family. Songye figures are aggressive and often are reinforced with magical substances in order to facilitate contact with the spirit world.

Lega

Almost all Lega art was made for the Bwami Association. Diminutive and expressive objects in wood, ivory, or bone depict aphorisms and were used in Bwami initiation ceremonies.

Chokwe

Masks, common in Chokwe villages and worn by men, are used to invoke ancestral spirits, to represent spirits found in nature, or to represent men and women or wild animals during dances. Figurative masks demonstrate a refined naturalism.