Kiteya royal cup - Luba - Congo - SOLD
Luba rituals in traditional African art
This remarkable traditional African Luba cut called Kiteya is held at the end of the arms and feet by two characters carved in a single room opposite. On the lid, stands a lizard depiction. This type of very rare object belonged systematically to the royal domain and divination. This African cup was used during the coronation of the king during which blood and palm wine were mixed together to be drunk.
In order to assure a reign without hindrance to the king, individuals were sacrificed in order to be offered to the spirits. This type of practice ended with colonization. During the rituals that could last weeks or even months, we replayed mythological and historical scenes of the kingdom. The central rite was the libations of human blood which alone attributed sacred power to the king. The victim was regularly the previous king, and his successor drank blood for several days after his coronation while his court offered him offerings. The execution was happening in front of the new.
The predecessor was performed in the eyes of all, while his blood was sometimes mixed with palm wine, sometimes applied by a priest to the newly consecrated king. The characters holding the cup are wearing a hairstyle called kaposhi, a hollow cross worn by most Baluba and their wives.
Visit our art gallery to find other beautiful African artifacts.
25 x 70 cm
00203
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Mid XXth century
- Size
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal art collection Belgium
You might also like
Luba rituals in traditional African art
This remarkable traditional African Luba cut called Kiteya is held at the end of the arms and feet by two characters carved in a single room opposite. On the lid, stands a lizard depiction. This type of very rare object belonged systematically to the royal domain and divination. This African cup was used during the coronation of the king during which blood and palm wine were mixed together to be drunk.
In order to assure a reign without hindrance to the king, individuals were sacrificed in order to be offered to the spirits. This type of practice ended with colonization. During the rituals that could last weeks or even months, we replayed mythological and historical scenes of the kingdom. The central rite was the libations of human blood which alone attributed sacred power to the king. The victim was regularly the previous king, and his successor drank blood for several days after his coronation while his court offered him offerings. The execution was happening in front of the new.
The predecessor was performed in the eyes of all, while his blood was sometimes mixed with palm wine, sometimes applied by a priest to the newly consecrated king. The characters holding the cup are wearing a hairstyle called kaposhi, a hollow cross worn by most Baluba and their wives.
Visit our art gallery to find other beautiful African artifacts.
25 x 70 cm