Luba

Luba, African ethnic group comprised of Bantu-speaking tribes. Living predominantly in the grasslands of central and southeastern Zaire, the Luba are composed of tribes linked by similar cultures and related languages. The 3 major Luba subdivisions—the Luba-Shankaji of Shaba, the Luba-Bambo of Kasai, and the Luba-Hemba of northern Shaba and southern Kivu—are connected by history, language, and culture to other peoples of the Congo basin. Traditionally, they live in thatched-roof huts along single-street villages. During the twentieth century many Luba-Kasai moved to urban areas.