Location: |
Southeastern Congo
(Zaire) |
Population: |
20,000 |
Language: |
BuLwalwa (Bantu) |
Neighboring Peoples: |
Salampasu, Mbagani, Kete, Lunda, Luba,
Chokwe |
Types of Art: |
Some small figures are carved for divination and display on shrines,
but the majority of Lwalwa art in collections consists of beautifully
sculpted masks, characteristically elongated, with prominent noses,
rectangular eyes, and a small hole between the mouth and nose, through
which a cord is passed in order to secure the mask on a dancer's
face. |
History: |
Lwalwa origins are closely tied to the Kete who live to the north and
originally migrated from the area currently located between the Luba and
Songye Kingdoms. Before the 17th century the Lwalwa were divided into
small matrilineal chiefdoms. Later they became part of the ties
established between the Lunda and Luba. However, they always remained
independent, refused to pay tribute, and never truly accepted the Lunda
chiefs as overseers. Instead the Lwalwa have formed a political union
between themselves, the Mbagani, the Salampasu, and the Kete. They have
remained relatively isolated from outside influences, due to their
location between the Kasai and Lueta rivers, and were virtually cut off
from trade routes. |
Economy: |
The land were the Lwalwa live is rich and fertile, lending itself well
to the agricultural economy of the people. The women are almost wholly
responsible for all that goes into the growing of crops, both for local
consumption and for trade. The men do, however, lend a hand during the
busy harvest time, so that they can evaluate their household intake for
the season. Although hunting by the men provides some occasional
supplementary protein, the women provide the majority of the nutritious
intake. The hunt, sometimes individual and sometimes communal, still plays
an important social role among the Lwalwa. Sculpting is recognized as a
prestigious profession and is usually passed on from father to son. |
Political Systems: |
Despite observance of matrilineal descent, Lwalwa children are raised
by the father and are considered the property of his family upon the
father's death. The leader of the community, who very often is also a
carver, inherits his position and lives at the center of the village with
all of his nobles. Surrounding him are numerous matriclans who pay homage
through their individual family heads. A man may inherit status or gain
respect through his hunting prowess. There is no paramount Lwalwa chief,
but ties are normally established between neighboring villages, and when
important decisions must be made on behalf of all of the Lwalwa, several
respected leaders gather in one site to discuss the issues. |
Religion: |
Lwalwa religion entails belief in a supreme god (Mvidie Mukulu) and an
omniscient creator (Nzambi). Respect is paid to recently departed
ancestors, and offerings are made to various nature spirits who have
shrines built in their honor. It is believed that everything has a spirit
(mukishi), which can be offended and cause trouble. These spirits must be
appeased if balance and order are to be maintained. Both boys and girls go
through initiation to become responsible adult members of Lwalwa society,
but masks are used only during male Ngongo initiation. Divination using
rubbing oracles is practiced to determine events in the past that are
currently causing misfortune. |