Kuba mask
19th century. Wood, raffia, cowrie shells, feathers & pigment. D.R.C (Kuba)
Image courtesy of the Savannah African Art Museum.
The Kuba Kingdom uses myth and culture to forge unity.
What is presently known as a the Kuba were initially a group of independent chiefdoms who were ruled over by a great mythological ruler named Woot. In 1625 C.E., King Shyaam a-Mbul a Ngoong of the Bushoong peoples unified several ethnic groups together, thereby establishing the Kuba culture and kingdom.
The royal trio, Mwaashmboy, Ngaady Mwaash and Bwoom, are representative of the Kuba origin myths. Mwaashmboy is the regal embodiment of Woot and representative of King Shyaam’s decendants. Ngaady Mwaash represents the spouse of Woot who perpetually cries because of how she is fought over by Mwaashmboy and Bwoom. Although Bwoom is a prince, he is a more ambiguous character in that he is seen as the voice of the common man who reminds the nobility of their responsibility to their subjects.
The spread of Kuba culture to outlying chiefdoms slowly expands the Kuba sphere of influence, creating one kingdom under the children of Woot.
Bibliography:
Vansina, J. (1978). The children of Woot: A history of the Kuba peoples. Madison, WI: Univ. of Wisconsin P.
Visonà, M. B., Poynor, R., Cole, H. M., & Harris, M. D. (2008). A history of art in Africa. London: Prentice Hall.
By Maxime Mballa-Tagny.