B K L N Z

Bangubangu

The Bangubangu Tribe The Bangubangu, also known as the Bangu-Bangu or Bambenga, are an ethnic group primarily residing in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Here are some key facts about the Bangubangu tribe: Location: The Bangubangu people are primarily found in the Equateur Province of the DRC, specifically in the northern region near the …
Continue reading Bangubangu

Bembe

BEMBE The Bembe tribe is an ethnic group predominantly residing in the southeastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), near Lake Tanganyika. Here are some key facts about the Bembe tribe: Location: The Bembe people primarily inhabit the territories of Uvira, Fizi, and Itombwe in the South Kivu province of the DRC, near …
Continue reading Bembe

Bushoong

BUSHOONG TYPES OF ART As might be expected, art that can be directly attributed to the Bushoong is almost always used to validate rule. Ndop (portraits of rulers) are perhaps the best known of the Bushoong royal arts and are used as mnemonic devices to remember Kuba history and to transfer power from one king to the …
Continue reading Bushoong

Kongo

Kongo TYPES OF ART The most prolific art form from this area is the nkisi objects, which come in all shapes, mediums, and sizes. The stratification of Kongo society resulted in much of the art being geared toward those of high status, and the nkisi figures were one of the only forms available to everyone. HISTORY The Kongo peoples …
Continue reading Kongo

Kusu

KUSU TYPES OF ART Much of Kusu sculpture is comparable to their neighbors, from the Lubaized chief’s stools and Songye-like power figures, to the Hemba-influenced ancestor figures. Women also make pottery and basketry, which is used in everyday life. HISTORY Kusu history is shared with the Nkutshu and Tetela, all of whom came from the …
Continue reading Kusu

Lunda

LUNDA TYPES OF ART Although it is impossible to isolate specific examples of Lunda art, their political activity in the region and their patronage of artists living in neighboring ethnic groups influenced the artistic styles found throughout the region. It is believed that all objects historically linked to the Lunda were originally carved by neighbors, …
Continue reading Lunda

Ngbaka

NGBAKA TYPES OF ART The most common forms of sculpture center around representations of Seto and Nabo. Often they are portrayed with a heavy ridge of scars which bisect the forehead vertically. The Ngbaka also carve several types of masks and numerous utilitarian objects. HISTORY The Ngbaka arrived on the Gemena Plateau in 1920. They …
Continue reading Ngbaka

Zande

The word azande means “the people who possess much land.” This relates to their history as conquering warriors. The Zande migrated during the 18th century from Sudan to the northern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, settling on the banks of the Uele River. They live also in the Central African Republic and the Sudan. …
Continue reading Zande