|
Tribe Snapshots Pende |
| Location: |
Southwestern Congo
(Zaire) |
| Population: |
250,000 |
| Language: |
KiPende (central Bantu) |
| Neighboring
Peoples: |
Yaka, Suku, Chokwe |
| Types
of Art: |
The Pende carve numerous types of masks, most
of which are associated with education and initiation
rituals. In the northwest part of the territory
wooden figures are sculpted. Carved stools, staffs,
chairs, and swords are used by chiefs and other
important people to signify their power. |
| History: |
The Pende, along with their neighbors the Yaka
and Suku, can trace their origins to modern day
Angola, between the Atlantic Coast and the Kwanza
(Cuanza) River. They were forced north to their
current region during the Lunda expansion in 1620,
which also resulted in numerous cultural influences.
They are divided into two major groups, a western
group who live just to the east of the Yaka and
an eastern group who live on the western bank
of the Kasai River. Although each group is culturally
distinct they consider themselves as one people.
The Chokwe expansion around 1885 engulfed most
of the eastern Pende and some of the western group
as well. Colonialism halted the expansion of the
Chokwe and allowed the Pende to reclaim their
independence. |
| Economy: |
The Pende are mainly farmers who produce millet,
maize, plantain, and peanuts. The women do the
majority of the farm work and are wholly responsible
for selling goods in the community markets. The
men help with the clearing of the fields and also
contribute to the diet with occasional hunting
and fishing in the numerous local rivers. |
| Political
Systems: |
The Pende political system is mainly controlled
by lineage and marriage. There is no recognized
central political power, and the chiefs that do
exist do not exercise significant authority. The
extended family seems to serve the needs of social
control within individual communities. The Pende
are a matrilineal people, and the eldest maternal
uncle in a family is usually recognized as heading
the lineage, a position which entails ensuring
the well-being of the family and taking care of
the ancestors. |
| Religion: |
The ancestors (mvumbi) are placated through
various rituals and offerings. The family head
is responsible for taking care of the shrines
and appeasing the spirits. The Pende recognize
that spirits may be either good or bad, depending
on the manner in which they died. Also, when ancestors
are neglected they will cause bad things to happen
to the family. The result may be sickness or hardship,
both of which require a visit to the local diviner
to determine the best way to appease the spirits.
Through the diviner, the spirit will sometimes
demand that a wooden sculpture be commissioned
so that offerings can be made to it. |
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