Memory board "lukasa" ·  D. R. Congo, Luba · ID: 3033814

Description

wood, partly encrusted patina, cowrie snails, beads, of rectangular, slightly waisted form, stud with beads and pins, crowned by a human head, grooved ornaments on both sides, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion, on metal base;
used during “mbudye” rituals at inauguration of new rulers, serving to teach sacred lore about culture heroes, clan migrations, the introduction of the sacred rule, to recite genealogies, king lists, and the episodes in the founding charter. Each “lukasa” elicits some or all informations, but the narration varies with the knowledge and oratory skill of the reader.

Comparing literature

Roberts, Mary Nooter, Memory, New York 1996, p. 39, cat. 7