The artistic style of the Hemba is very similar to that of the Luba, as many of their forms are borrowed.
Art often results from the elaboration of otherwise simple utilitarian objects.
Extensive wooden sculptures, which often represent the ancestors, predominate. Near the end of the 16th century, the Hemba began their migration from an area to the northeast, probably modern day Tanzania. The Luba unsuccessfully tried to incorporate the Southern Hemba into their growing kingdom. The Luba did succeed, however, in greatly influencing the Hemba in numerous ways, including artistic styles. In the late 19th century, the Hemba were subjugated to raids by Arab slave traders and again by Belgian forces during colonization.