Learn about itLearn onlyLiving tradition
This page describes the practice. There is deliberately no automated reading for it — see the notes below.
Background
Among the Chokwe of Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia, divining with ngombo is used to learn the causes of illness, misfortune and other problems. Museum examples, such as one at the Lowe Art Museum, include the basket with its miniature figures.
How it works
The diviner shakes the basket; the tuphele objects that come to rest at the rim facing the client, and their positions relative to each other, form the answer.
Notes and limits
Culture: Ngombo is practised by initiated Chokwe diviners, and the basket itself is regarded as powerful. It is shown here as cultural heritage only; learn about it from Chokwe communities and museum scholarship.
At a glance
- Also called
- Ngombo, Ngombo ya cisuka, Tuphele, Chokwe basket divination
- Traditions
- Chokwe
- Regions
- Africa
- You need
- A question
- Price
- Free