Ceremonial Staff (Kibango)
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Object Label
Luba chiefs, spiritual leaders, and diviners all use carved staffs as symbols of authority. On many staffs, as in most Luba arts of authority, kingship is represented by a woman. These figures express a belief in women’s powers to connect the worlds of humankind and the spirits. Further, because women are capable of holding two spirits in one body during pregnancy, they are considered to be stronger than men. During a chief’s investiture the chief’s sister or first wife precedes him, carrying the staff and placing it near the throne.
The twin-figured staff refers to Mpanga and Banze, twin spirits of Luba kingship, whose two-way gaze suggests clairvoyance.
Caption
Luba. Ceremonial Staff (Kibango), 19th century. Wood, glass beads, cloth, fiber, iron, copper alloy, 59 x 3 3/4 x 3 7/8 in. (149.9 x 9.5 x 9.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Collection, 22.1132. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Culture
Title
Ceremonial Staff (Kibango)
Date
19th century
Geography
Place made: Kabongo-Kisula region, Haut-Lomami Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Medium
Wood, glass beads, cloth, fiber, iron, copper alloy
Classification
Dimensions
59 x 3 3/4 x 3 7/8 in. (149.9 x 9.5 x 9.8 cm)
Credit Line
Brooklyn Museum Collection
Accession Number
22.1132
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
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