1969.S.138 Staff with standing female figure and baby

In matrilineal Lwena society, political power is vested in males descended through the female line from a commonly known female ancestor. It stands to reason that in this society, the ideal woman is a mother and would be depicted on a chief's staff of office. She represents the ancestral mothers of the chief's royal lineage and their spiritual powers, which he must gain access to for the benefit of his subjects. 

Staffs of office were inherited; however, in some cases chiefs made presents of staffs to other chiefs or they were taken as trophies after battle.

Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, Arts of Africa, 2015.

n.d.: Clark and Frances Stillman Collection, Dallas, Texas/New York

1969: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, gift of Eugene and Margaret McDermott [1]

[1] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.

Apply to objects where number equals 1969.S.138