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Central Africa

Luba Religion

Luba — Democratic Republic of Congo

Supreme Creator

Shakapanga

Also: Leza

Core Beliefs
  • • Universal creator (Shakapanga) and supreme being (Leza)
  • • Ancestral spirits (Bankambo) bridging living and dead
  • • Various supernatural spirits (Bavidye)
  • • Ethical living — good personhood, dignity, self-respect
  • • Lubuko divination system
Key Figures

Shakapanga — Universal creator

Leza — Supreme being

Divination System

Lubuko

Priesthood

Nsengba/Kitobo (priests), Nganga/Wintshi (healers/diviners)

Sacred Texts & Traditions
  • • Lubuko divination corpus

Related Traditions

Kongo Religion
Scholarly References
Met Museum — Luba Art and Kingship ↗