The Rainbow and the Kings - by Thomas Q Reefe (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The Rainbow and the Kings: A History of the Luba Empire to 1891 offers an in-depth and meticulously researched examination of the rise, expansion, and eventual decline of the Luba Empire, one of the most significant dynastic states in Central Africa. Situated in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Luba Empire was a sophisticated polity that thrived independently of European trade influences for much of its existence. This work emphasizes the uniquely African nature of Luba state formation, exploring how governance, tribute systems, and religious ideology contributed to its longevity. Rather than being defined by external economic forces, the Luba developed a complex political and social order, built on a tribute-based system and bolstered by a rich oral tradition that preserved its history through generations.

The book delves into the intricate mechanisms of power within the Luba state, from the king's role as a political and spiritual leader to the interplay between lineage-based politics and central authority. It also highlights how the empire managed to sustain its vast territorial reach, relying on a network of client kings and the symbolic use of royal insignia to maintain influence across great distances. As European incursions and the slave and ivory trades reached the interior in the late 19th century, these pressures disrupted the Luba political structure, leading to its fragmentation. Drawing from oral histories, colonial documents, and ethnographic studies, The Rainbow and the Kings provides a compelling and authoritative account of a major African empire that shaped the history of the region long before European colonization.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1981.