Who Are the Chokwe?
The Chokwe (Cokwe, Tshokwe) are a Bantu ethnic group inhabiting parts of Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia, numbering approximately 1-1.5 million. They speak Chokwe, a Bantu language of the Lunda cluster. Originally a small group in eastern Angola, the Chokwe dramatically expanded in the 19th century through trade in wax, rubber, ivory, and slaves, eventually overthrowing the Lunda Empire they had once served. The Chokwe are internationally renowned for their sculptural traditions, producing masks and figures that rank among Africa's most admired artworks. Their cultural influence spread across a vast region as they expanded.
19th Century Expansion
The Chokwe's dramatic 19th-century expansion transformed Central Africa. Originally a small tributary group of the Lunda Empire, they became successful traders and hunters, accumulating firearms and wealth. As Lunda power weakened, Chokwe warriors conquered Lunda territories, eventually capturing the Lunda capital in 1887. This expansion spread Chokwe culture, language, and artistic styles over a vast area. Portuguese colonialism eventually contained Chokwe expansion, but by then they had become a major regional power. This transformation from minor group to empire-destroyers demonstrates how trade and firearms reshaped African politics in the precolonial period.
Sculptural Arts
Chokwe sculpture ranks among Africa's greatest artistic traditions. Their masks—particularly the pwo (female ancestor) and cihongo (male) types—feature refined carving with elaborate hairstyles, scarification patterns, and contemplative expressions. The pwo mask, representing an idealized female ancestor, influenced artistic traditions across Central Africa. Figure sculptures depict chiefs and ancestors with characteristic pose and detailed body ornamentation. Chokwe artists also produced prestigious objects including scepters, chairs, combs, and pipes. Their aesthetic influence spread throughout their territory of expansion. Today, Chokwe works command high prices in the art market and appear in major museums worldwide.
Contemporary Chokwe
Modern Chokwe are divided among three nations with different experiences. Angola's Chokwe, concentrated in Lunda Norte and Sul provinces, endured decades of civil war (1975-2002) and have more recently faced issues related to diamond mining. DRC's Chokwe live in Katanga Province amid that country's ongoing instability. Zambia's Chokwe population is smallest and most stable. Cross-border ethnic ties persist despite national boundaries. Traditional chiefs maintain cultural authority. Agriculture and artisanal mining provide livelihoods. Christian churches have become important. Sculptural traditions continue, with some artists producing for international markets. How the Chokwe maintain cultural unity across three nations while adapting to modern conditions shapes their future.
References
- Jordan, M. A. (1998). Chokwe: Art and Initiation Among Chokwe and Related Peoples
- Bastin, M.-L. (1982). La Sculpture Tshokwe
- Miller, J. C. (1988). Way of Death: Merchant Capitalism and the Angolan Slave Trade