Luba / Holoholo female figure, DRC ex Zaire Depicted... Lot 22

Luba / Holoholo female figure, DRC ex Zaire Depicted perched on a circular base, the female figure adopts a semi-bent-leg posture, her large hands resting on her thighs. The spherical head with almond-shaped, rimmed eyelids is reminiscent of the Luba style. Dense wood, dark satin patina 40 x 13 cm The Luba (Baluba in Tchiluba) are a people of Central Africa. Their cradle is Katanga, more precisely the Lubu river region, hence the name (Baluba, meaning "the Lubas"). They were born of a secession from the Songhoy ethnic group, under the leadership of Ilunga Kalala, who caused the death of the old king Kongolo, who has since been venerated in the form of a python. In the 16th century, they created a decentralized chieftaincy state stretching from the Kasai River to Lake Tanganyika. The chieftaincies covered a small territory with no real borders and no more than three villages. Settled along Lake Tanganyika around Kalemie, the Holoholo were subjugated by the Luba. Their highly varied sculpture reflects their history. Sorcerers' associations play an important role, including the Bagabo, which the Bakibilo and Bambudje societies seek to counter.