Luba people
Albert I former Mulopwe (Emperor) of South Kasai in 1961 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| c. 28.8 million | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo United States | |
| Languages | |
| Luba languages (Kiluba and Tshiluba); Swahili; French | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, Islam, African Traditional Religion, Bantu Mythology | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Lunda people, Songye people, Bemba people and other Bantu peoples. |
| Person | Mulubà |
|---|---|
| People | Balubà |
| Language | Kiluba |
The Luba people or Baluba are a Bantu ethno-linguistic group indigenous to the south-central region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The majority of them live in this country, residing mainly in Katanga, Kasaï, Kasaï-Oriental, Kasaï-Central, Lomami and Maniema. The Baluba consist of many sub-groups or clans.
The Baluba developed a society and culture by about the 400s CE, later developing a well-organised community in the Upemba Depression known as the Baluba in Katanga confederation. Luba society consisted of miners, smiths, woodworkers, potters, crafters, and people of various other professions. They found relative success over time, but this eventually caused their gradual decline with the Portuguese and Omani empires led or influenced invasions.