[Untitled]
Item
Accession Number
2024.16.
Subject
Sculptural Object|Ritual|Central Africa
Country
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date
Early 20th Century
Medium
Patinated wood, raffia
Format
H x W x D: 18 in x 10 in x 5 in (45.72 cm x 25.4 cm x 12.7 cm)
Description
The Memory Board, or Lukasa, is carved of wood, with intricate patterns and several protruding heads. The long neck and head extending from the rectangular board has recognizable features of the Luba style, such as the rounded face and eyes, and stylized coiffure. The "kitena spirit" can be seen through the placement of the heads on the flat face of the board. The kitena signifies the burial place of a king or the elevated resting place of a spirit The heads commemorate the reign of kings, forming a memory landscape.
Type
Memory Board
Conforms To
Luba