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Yombe

The Yombe are an artistically prolific people of the far western tip of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire). They produced some of the most important art and sculpture in all of Africa. Themes of Yombe art included maternity figures, masks and drums used in initiation ceremonies, and everyday objects such as combs and staffs. The importance of women is evident in the art of the Yombe people. They regard women not only as maternal figures but as guardians of the spirit. Among their female figures, the Yombe created phemba figures (female statues used in divination and fertility rites). A female phemba is usually in a seated or kneeling position with a rounded or pointed coiffure, wearing glass or coral necklaces and having filed teeth. The Yombe also created many luxurious objects for the royal court such as scepters, swords, staffs and musical instruments.

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