Mbole Tribe

Democratic Republic of Congo

Living along the Lomami River to the northwest of the Lega people.  During the 18^th century, they migrated from north of the Lualaba river. Politically, each Mbole village is autonomous, the head of the village being a chief that is chosen by a councils of elders.  The structural cohesion of the Mbole people is achieved by the three main societies, the Ekanga which is a society for healers and diviners, the Otuku, a society for the wives of dignitaries and the Lilwa which oversees every aspect of Mbole life.  The leader of the Lilwa society is known as Isoya, and is regarded as so important that he will be buried in a tree and his village hut is kept empty.

They are known for their Lilwa society, a graded men’s society, which dominates Mbole life.  Similar to the Bwami society, the Lilwa fulfills ritual, educational, judicial, social, political and economic functions.  A sophisticated moral philosophy underlies its teachings and rituals. The rites of passage ceremonies of the Mbole are carried out for boys between the ages of seven and twelve years of age.  They are isolated in forest ritual camps where they undergo circumcision and initiation; during this process they undergo ritual purification and proving themselves through various ordeals and fasting.  They receive teachings with regard to appropriate moral, ritual and social behavior as well as practical teachings such as hunting, farming and family responsibility.