Royal Seat (Lupona): Female Caryatid 19th century Buli Master, possibly Ngongo ya Chintu (Hemba, ca. 1810-1870) Democratic Republic of Congo In many cultures throughout the southeastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congoindeed, throughout much of Africathe seats of leaders are important symbols of power and authority. Among the Luba, rank and title are indicated by the progressive ascension to more prestigious forms of seating, beginning with simple woven mats and proceeding onto animal pelts, clay thrones, and finally, sculpted wooden thrones such as this example from the Museum's collection. Stools figure prominently in the rigorous rites of royal investiture as Luba kings and chiefs accede to power and acquire the appropriate symbols of office. The main function of the stool was not to serve as a seat, but rather as a receptacle for the chief's spirit. Stools are such powerful emblems of a chief's power and identity that they were often kept secretly in a village different