Traditions of Genesis and the Luba Diaspora

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Periodical article

Title:	Traditions of Genesis and the Luba Diaspora
Author:	Reefe, Thomas Q.
Year:	1977
Periodical:	History in Africa
Volume:	4
Pages:	183-206
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Southern Africa
Subjects:	history Luba polity myths (form) Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) History and Exploration
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/3171584
Abstract:	A major issue in the study of central African history has been the role of the Luba political system in the early political development of the region. The origin stories of state systems and ruling dynasties lying far to the southeast (e.g. the Bemba) and to the vest (e.g. the Lunda) of north-central Shaba claim Luba antecedents for their regimes. The author looks at some of these origin stories, against the background of the discussion between the 'fundamentalist' and the 'structuralist' schools of historiography as to the nature and function of origin stories and their value to the historian. Be concludes that rather than accepting a fairly literal interpretation of central African origin stories to help determine the role of the Luba political system in the early history of central African political development, it will be necessary to do more research with a wider ranger of comparative data. Map, notes.