This artwork is the Lukasa (memory board) that originated from the Luba people in the Mbudye society of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Dating back to the 19th to 20th century C.E, the Lukasa was made out of wood, beads, and metal.
The intended audience of the Lukasa could be “trainees” or “apprentices” of the Mbudye society. The Mbudye society was created and established for the purpose of preserving and spreading historical knowledge of the Luba people. The people who read the Lukasa are experts that are experienced and specially trained within the group. Diviners (people who have the power to predict the future) and the elites of the Mbudye group could also read the Lukasa. They would read this mnemonic device during rituals to teach members of the …show more content…
All the elements of the board (beads, pins, motifs) carry meaning as well as their placement in relation to one another. Each bead of the Lukasa can be an indicator of a specific person, place, or status and the beads can be combined in different ways. By touching the Lukasa, Mbudye specialists are able to trace symbols and paths on the board, enabling them to read, interpret, and transmit sacred historical knowledge. For example, the central bead largest in the top section of the board is representative of the king that the lukasa was made for. The smaller surrounding beads are representative of the king’s officers. Furthermore, the back of the Lukasa is inscribed with historical and symbolic meaning. The back of the lukasa is carved so that it looks like a tortoise shell. The tortoise shell is a symbol of Luba royalty and the lines within the shell design correlate to the king’s endeavors. Due to the way in which the Lukasa was read, the Lukasa demonstrates that it is a dynamic oral narrative, reinforcing the foundations upon which Luba kingship is established and further supports the current
The intended audience of the Lukasa could be “trainees” or “apprentices” of the Mbudye society. The Mbudye society was created and established for the purpose of preserving and spreading historical knowledge of the Luba people. The people who read the Lukasa are experts that are experienced and specially trained within the group. Diviners (people who have the power to predict the future) and the elites of the Mbudye group could also read the Lukasa. They would read this mnemonic device during rituals to teach members of the …show more content…
All the elements of the board (beads, pins, motifs) carry meaning as well as their placement in relation to one another. Each bead of the Lukasa can be an indicator of a specific person, place, or status and the beads can be combined in different ways. By touching the Lukasa, Mbudye specialists are able to trace symbols and paths on the board, enabling them to read, interpret, and transmit sacred historical knowledge. For example, the central bead largest in the top section of the board is representative of the king that the lukasa was made for. The smaller surrounding beads are representative of the king’s officers. Furthermore, the back of the Lukasa is inscribed with historical and symbolic meaning. The back of the lukasa is carved so that it looks like a tortoise shell. The tortoise shell is a symbol of Luba royalty and the lines within the shell design correlate to the king’s endeavors. Due to the way in which the Lukasa was read, the Lukasa demonstrates that it is a dynamic oral narrative, reinforcing the foundations upon which Luba kingship is established and further supports the current