Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands: Mother with Child (Luphinga Lua Limpe)

• Download
• Add to set
• Favorite
• Posse icon
• Share
• Print

Mother with Child (Luphinga Lua Limpe)

African maternity figures reflect a deep concern with the continuity of the family and the group, for which women bear primary responsibility through childbearing. In an environment where birth is often difficult and infant mortality is high, there is particular concern for both mother and child. If a woman has previously encountered difficulties with miscarriages or has had a child who died in infancy, she might appeal to the Bwanga Bwa Cibola cult. A charm belt is made for her to wear and a figure is also carved for her, which she cares for until her delivery, in order to ward off evil. The pointed base on this figure was probably thrust into a pot containing earth and various bishimba, or materials of mineral, plant, animal, or human origin endowed with protective powers.


• Culture: Lulua
• Medium: Wood
• Place Made: Lulua Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Dates: 19th century
• Dimensions: 14 x 3 3/8 x 3 1/2 in. (35.6 x 8.6 x 8.9 cm)
• Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands
• Museum Location: This item is not on view
• Accession Number: 50.124
• Credit Line: Museum Collection Fund
• Image: Overall, 50.124_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Lulua. Mother with Child (Luphinga Lua Limpe), 19th century. Wood, 14 x 3 3/8 x 3 1/2 in. (35.6 x 8.6 x 8.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.124 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 50.124_SL1.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: A wood maternity figure of a woman holding a child which twists her arms. The face of the woman shows elaborate scarification. Below the chest the body is not well defined and narrows considerably. The navel is quite prominent but the remainder of the figure is like a staff. There is no indication of the legs etc. Condition: Good. From the waist down there is no body.