172. Lulua tribal mask, Congo, mid-20th century

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Brought to you by

Simona Oprea

Head of Oriental Art, Traditional Art & Carpets Evaluation Office; Chinese Language Certificate HSK 4

0728 054 340 [email protected]

172. Lulua tribal mask, Congo, mid-20th century

Starting price:

EUR 300

Not sold

exotic wood, hand carved, 40 x 29 cm, 40 Ã 29 cm

The Lulua tribe people, also known as Bena Lulua, migrated from Western Africa during the 18th century and settled in the southern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire). The population, counting about 300,000 people, is organized in small regional chiefdomes, and in times of crisis they elect a common leader. The role of the village chief is to ensure juridical, political and social cohesion. As with neighbouring tribes, their social structure is based on a caste system that includes nobles, warriors, freedmen, and slaves. Their economy is mainly based on agriculture, but they also trade. During the late 19th century, the Lulua culture underwent radical changes. In 1875, the Lulua king, Kalambam, introduced new social and religious regulations, including the ending of traditional palm-wine drinking, hemp smoking and the burning of all cult carvings.

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