|
Tribe Snapshots Hemba |
| Location: |
Southeastern Congo (Zaire) |
| Population: |
90,000 |
| Language: |
Kihemba (central Bantu) |
| Neighboring
Peoples: |
Luba, Bangubangu, Songye, Kunda |
| Types
of Art: |
The artistic style of the Hemba is very similar
to that of the Luba, as many of their forms are
borrowed. Art often results from the elaboration
of otherwise simple utilitarian objects. Extensive
wooden sculptures, which often represent the ancestors,
predominate. |
| History: |
Near the end of the 16th century, the Hemba
began their migration from an area to the northeast,
probably modern day Tanzania. In the 1800s under
the direction of Niembo and his son, Myhiya, the
Hemba moved into their current location along
the Congo (Zaire) River. The Luba unsuccessfully
tried to incorporate the Southern Hemba into their
growing kingdom. The Luba did succeed, however,
in greatly influencing the Hemba in numerous ways,
including artistic styles. In the late 19th century,
the Hemba were subjugated to raids by Arab slave
traders and again by Belgian forces during colonization. |
| Economy: |
The Hemba are primarily subsistence agriculturalists
whose main staples include manioc, maize, peanuts,
and yams. These crops are supplemented by small
scale hunting and fishing done mostly by the men.
Some alluvial copper is panned from the river
and sold to outside markets. |
| Political
Systems: |
Generally, the Hemba acknowledge chiefs who
are heads of extended landholding families as
their political leaders. Genealogy is recognized
both matrilinearly and patrilinearly, but land
chiefs inherit their positions through their maternal
line. |
| Religion: |
The Hemba recognize a creator god (vidiye mukulu)
and a supreme being (shimugabo). Worship is primarily
carried out through sacrifices and offerings to
ancestor shrines. Diviners play an important role
in society, often requiring that certain ancestors
be appeased in order to establish balance in the
community. |
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