|
Tribe Snapshots Yombe |
| Location: |
Far northwestern tip of Congo
(Zaire), Congo |
| Population: |
350,000 |
| Language: |
Kiyombe, Kikongo (Bantu) |
| Neighboring
Peoples: |
Solongo, Kongo, Bwende,
Vili |
| Types
of Art: |
Some of the most spectacular Yombe pieces are
the nkisi nkonde figures described above. They
also carve masks and drums to be used in initiation
ceremonies. Everyday objects such as combs, staffs,
and fly whisks were often carved with figures
as a display of wealth and power. |
| History: |
Yombe history indicates a southward migration
of the Mbenza clan from present day Gabon sometime
before the 15th century. Oral and written accounts
connect them with the historical Mayomba Kingdom,
which flourished in the 16th century. During the
16th and 17th centuries migrations of Manyanga
and then Bwende peoples arrived in the area. Both
groups eventually assimilated into Yombe communities.
The Kongo and Solongo expansions at the end of
the 17th century forced the Yombe to withdraw
from the banks of the Congo (Zaire) River. Although
European contact was limited until the end of
the 19th century, depictions of Portuguese people
in Yombe art reflect 16th century Portuguese styles,
indicating a moderate degree of European influence
in this region at quite an early date. |
| Economy: |
Due to the thick forests surrounding Yombe territory
the land must be cleared through slash and burn
techniques before crops can be planted. The land
is usually cleared by men, leaving the task of
farming to the women. Plantains, manioc, maize,
beans, peanuts, and yams are among the primary
crops grown. These are primarily used for local
consumption, but surplus is also sold in regional
markets to obtain cash. Goats, pigs, chickens,
and dogs are also raised. Fishing on the Congo
(Zaire) river and its surrounding tributaries
provides an important source of dietary protein.
Men are also responsible for hunting, weaving,
carving, smithing, and smelting. Women create
clay pots for domestic use. |
| Political
Systems: |
Primary Yombe social divisions are based on
membership in one of nine clans. All clans trace
their heritage to Mbaangala who had nine daughters
whose names are the same as the clan that each
founded. Yombe peoples more readily affiliate
with fellow clan members, and each clan has its
own set of social and moral rules. Historically
the Yombe recognized a supreme chief, but today
there are instead localized land chiefs who act
as supreme judges and maintain a great deal of
religious power. Descent is traced matrilinealy
and each clan has a supreme leader (mfumu makanda),
who is elected by his fellow clan members based
on his wealth and oratory skills. |
| Religion: |
Ngoma Bunzi is the Yombe supreme deity. He resides
in Yulu, a place which is off-limits to people.
He is never contacted directly. Instead, appeals
are made through earth spirits (Nzambi a Tsi)
and river spirits (Simbi). Shrines were also erected
to remember important ancestors, and chiefs were
accorded sacred powers. The healers (waganga)
could be solicited to perform cures, to provide
protection from harm, to bring good fortune, or
on occasion to avenge harm done by a witch. The
medicine of the waganga was closely tied to nkisi
bundles. Larger nkisi nkonde figures were used
for oath taking on the village level. Nails and
similar pointed objects were driven into the figure
to seal a pact between two or more individuals.
Diviners commonly used hallucinogenic drugs to
facilitate their communication with the spirit
world. |
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