Lu Tribe Research Paper

In central Africa, the Luba people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo practice Bilumbu divination. The Bilumbu belief system exhibits elements of mysticism, and seeks to prescribe solutions to existential questions from within the community. Similarly, the Yoruba people of Nigeria in western Africa also practice a belief system, known as Ifa divination, which defines Yoruba origins and discusses contemporary issues surrounding identity. In both religions, diviners demonstrate the importance of embroidered beadwork. Additionally, sumptuary laws guarantee exclusive colors for each type of diviners’ dress. However, both systems contain their own symbolism and religious motifs. These clothing elements summate the diviners’ power to counsel and protect the community through spiritual encouragement.
The headdress, termed nkaka in Luba, demonstrates the diviners’ role as interpreters of the “observable natural world” by taking a naturally occurring animal and making it synonymous with divinity (Pemberton, 2000: 72). The word nkaka means “pangolin,” the small anteater with rough scales, used to protect the animal from predators. Just as the pangolin protects itself by rolling into a tight ball to enclose its fleshy stomach, the diviners wear the headdress to “entrap” the spirits and protect them from escaping the diviner’s subconscious mind during spiritual possession. The pattern on the headdress emulates the pangolin’s scales through the application of thick beads in diamond formations across the entirety of the band’s leather