Important religious figures
Its adherents believe in the universal creator named Shakapanga. They also believe in three specific figures that make up the supernatural world. These figures include Leza, the supreme god, mikishi or bavidye which are various spirits, and bankambo which are people's ancestors. They also believe that there are three main figures in the living world. These figures include kitobo or nsengha which is a priest, the nganga which is a healer, and the ''mfwintshi'' also known as the witch or the embodiment of evil.Religious activities
Some of the common religious practices include praying, singing religious songs, dancing, sacrificing, offerings, and a variety of rituals. Adherents also believe in the interpretation of dreams.Creation myth of Kabezya-Mpungu
The Baluba creation story makes a connection between God's invisibility or unavailability and the endowment of humans with a soul or divine component longing for God. In the creation story, Kabezya-Mpungu decides to become invisible after creating the world and the first humans who did not yet have a heart. After balancing the rain, sun, moon, and darkness, he leaves. To replace the visible god, he sends the people Mutshima ("heart"), the life-giving or divine part of humans. Since then all humans have been endowed with Mutshima, the heart.Notes
References
* Carl Einstein (Ed.) 1925: ''Afrikanische Märchen und Legenden''; Rowohlt, 1925. Neuausgabe (1980) MEDUSA Verlag Wölk + Schmid, Berlin. (in German) * Carl EinsteinExternal links