Democratic Republic of Congo

Luba

Wood
Mid-Late 20th century
Length: 14 inches
Idiophone – Struck Directly – Slit Drum

Much of Luba art relates to kings and important chiefs, who defined their power by the display of prestige objects during major ceremonies. Drums were among the important objects and often embellished with a female figure.  The Luba believe that women mediated between kings and the spirit world.  The finial on this Luba slit drum is a female with a facial expression of serenity.  The elaborate hairdo is represented by a layered wave design in the back.