Les Lumbu

Located in south-western Gabon and Republic of Congo, the Lumbu were part of the ethnic group, Eshira. Influenced by the Punu, Vili, and the Kuni Yombé, they share with them the same origin myths of giants: the brothers, Bunzi, the chimpanzee, and Mbumba, the rainbow-colored snake. Often associated with Punu, the Lumbu are famous for their white masks and they also carved lesser known objects, including statues, reliquaries and amulets. In the early twentieth century, a small number of these works had attracted Western artists. They were part of major collections such as those of Paul Guillaume, Alfred Barnes, Charles Ratton, Josef Mueller, Helena Rubinstein and, more recently, that of Hubert Goldet.