The LubaHeritagesConnect Project is a community-driven initiative aimed at preserving, exploring, and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Luba World. Rooted in academic research and inspired by the voices of the Luba people, especially women, this project bridges the past and present through digital tools and collaborative storytelling. Explore immersive galleries, archival collections, and oral histories that bring the living heritage of Luba communities into the digital age. Join us in honoring the resilience, traditions, and cultural continuity of Luba heritages.
Community-Centered
At the heart of the LubaHeritagesConnect Project is a community-centered approach that amplifies the voices of the Luba people, particularly the often-overlooked stories of women and their integral role in shaping the cultural, social, and spiritual life of the Luba. We believe that the true power of heritage lies not only in the preservation of artifacts and historical records but in the living traditions passed down through generations.
Decolonial Research
By collaborating with Luba scholars, cultural leaders, and community members, we ensure that the narratives and experiences shared on this platform are grounded in the voices of those who have lived and continue to shape this rich cultural legacy. Special emphasis is placed on female experiences, whose contributions to rituals, storytelling, craft, and leadership are vital to understanding the cultural fabric of the Luba Worlds.
Digital Humanities Project
Through oral histories, digital storytelling, and interactive archives, we create a space where Luba traditions are not static but dynamic, evolving, and very much alive in the voices of today’s communities.
Luba Digital Heritage
At its core, the project is part of a doctoral dissertation that examines how digital tools can contribute to community-based cultural preservation. The research emphasizes the importance of collaborative methods, ensuring that Luba communities themselves are the stewards of their heritage, rather than solely relying on external academic institutions. This process of digital archiving is not just about preservation, but about community empowerment and the active participation of those who have lived the history.
Collaborative Methods
The LubaHeritagesConnect Project is built on the foundation of collaborative methods, where community input is at the core of every aspect of the project. We work closely with Luba scholars, cultural leaders, and local communities to ensure that the digital representation of heritage remains authentic and rooted in lived experiences. By engaging directly with Luba women, we capture narratives that are often marginalized, allowing them to guide how their stories are told and preserved. These partnerships also extend to diaspora communities, fostering a dynamic and global exchange of knowledge and cultural practices. Through open collaboration, we empower the Luba people to take an active role in preserving their own heritage, ensuring it is shared, respected, and continuously evolving.
Digital Archiving
Digital archiving is at the core of the Luba Digital Heritage Project, allowing us to preserve and share Luba culture in ways that are both accessible and sustainable. By converting physical artifacts, manuscripts, oral histories, and images into digital formats, we ensure that these precious cultural resources are safeguarded for future generations. Our digital archives are not static, but dynamic and interactive, providing a space for global collaboration and ongoing contributions from Luba communities worldwide. These digital archives enable scholars, educators, and the public to engage deeply with Luba heritage from anywhere, while also ensuring that the voices of the Luba people, especially women, are preserved and honored. Through this innovative process, we bridge the past and future, making cultural knowledge more accessible, resilient, and connected than ever before.
Get in touch with us!
We’d love to hear from you! Whether you have questions, would like to contribute your own story, or wish to learn more about the LubaheritagesConnect Project, please feel free to reach out. Our team is dedicated to collaborating with communities, scholars, and cultural leaders to continue preserving and sharing Luba heritages.