This carved wooden figure originates from either the Luba or Hemba people of the southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Both groups are closely related in language, history, and artistic tradition, and their sculptural styles often share visual similarities, particularly in representations of ancestral figures.
The figure stands upright with a symmetrical stance and prominent features, including a high-domed forehead, carefully rendered facial structure, and a calm, composed expression. The hands rest at the abdomen, a common pose in Luba and Hemba statuary that signifies composure and introspection.
 
Among both the Luba and Hemba, such figures are typically associated with the commemoration of ancestors, especially lineage founders or esteemed leaders. These sculptures often served as part of shrine installations and were used to express continuity, legitimacy, and spiritual authority within the community. Rather than representing a specific individual, they embody the ideal traits of leadership, wisdom, and moral strength.
 
The Luba and Hemba societies place great value on ancestral veneration and the transmission of knowledge through lineage. Figures like this one are part of a broader system of oral history, ritual practice, and political organization rooted in memory and respect for those who came before.
 
*This piece does not come with a stand.