Many Pende masks are used in the men's initiation system called mukunda . The masks may represent a variety of village personalities, as well as wild and domestic animals. Kuba Kuba art had an important role in the life of the royal court. Various kinds of figures representing mythic ancestors appear in public dances and during the initiation of young men. The art of the Luba-speaking peoples has most often been in the form of prestige regalia such as staffs, stools, and bow rests.
Sculpture is often relatively naturalistic.
The Hemba had large and powerful chiefdoms. The importance of the chief was demonstrated through the use of freestanding male figures, which were kept and cared for by members of the family. Songye figures are aggressive and often are reinforced with magical substances in order to facilitate contact with the spirit world. Lega Almost all Lega art was made for the Bwami Association. Diminutive and expressive objects in wood, ivory, or bone depict aphorisms and were used in Bwami initiation ceremonies.