[2] These rivers both rise in the east of South Kivu and flow in a northwesterly direction through Maniema, joining the Lualaba downstream from Kindu.

[3] The upper Ulindi valley has a richly diverse fauna, including many monkey species, chimpanzees, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and antelopes.

[2] The territory is covered by deep rain forest; in the east, rugged mountains rise to 6,000 feet (1,800 m) or more.

[6] Within a community, a chief inherits his position on a patrilineal basis, and his close relatives have highest rank.

A member of the highest level is recognized as a Kindi, a social leader with great moral authority.

Their gods include Kalaga, the promiser; Kenkunga, the reassembler; Ombe, the hidden; Kaginga, the incarnation of evil.

[1] The Lega people originated in what is today Uganda and started to migrate from there to their present location in the 16th century.

For most of the period of the Congo Free State (1885–1908), the Lega territory was within the area that Tippu Tip and his successors had reserved.

[7] During the 1890s, the Free State fought a series of campaigns in which they drove away from the Arab slavers, and established government posts near Micici and Shabunda.

If it is not raining, they will cook outside on a hearth formed from slow-burning logs that support a pot over the fire.

[11] The Lega villagers were forced by the colonial administration to produce manioc, bananas, and rice to feed the miners, causing considerable disruption to their lifestyle.

[9] In more recent years, the Lega have taken to panning for gold in the rivers and working in the iron ore mines of the region.

The objects are typically small and simple in form, and have a striking patina that derives from being handled or worn on the body.