Democratic Republic of Congo
Luba

Wood, metal, kaolin paint
Early 20th Century
Height: 20 in; Width: 11.25 in; Depth: 3.25 in
Idiophone – Lamellophones – Plucked

A large Luba kisanji (sanza), with a sculptured finial on top, that is used to facilitate the relations with the spirit world. The Luba male figure shows a high coiffure with a long beard, scarification towards the eyes on both sides of a concave face, and geometric crosshatching designs on his body.  The slightly downturned gaze and posture with arms lowered and hands the on abdomen testify to the figure’s respectful demeanor.

This Luba/Zela kisanji has forty (40) keys mounted on a sound box, with 13 metal strips wrapped around selected keys.  The keys are all raised to the same height but of varying lengths creating two triangular shapes. On the front of the kisanji is a small hole outlined with white kaolin paint.  Another small hole is also present on the bottom, this one plain. Keys are raised with a metal bar on the bottom underside and wood on the top underside and held down with a metal bar across the top. Front and sides of the kisanji come up slightly higher than the top, and all sides are held together with hand-hammered nails.