Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumMnemonic Devices and Record Keeping

A member of the Luba Mbudye Society reads a lukasa (memory board) by running a finger over its carved wooden surface. In this mnemonic system, which of the following tactile configurations is traditionally used to represent a king and his court?

  1. A large bead surrounded by a circle of smaller beadsAnswer
  2. B
    Iron nails driven into the wood to finalize a judicial covenant
  3. C
    Woven barkcloth borders denoting gendered divisions of labor
  4. D
    A grid-like sequence of shells mapping literal geographic coordinates

Answer

A large bead surrounded by a circle of smaller beads
The correct answer is the arrangement of a large bead surrounded by a circle of smaller beads. In Luba memory boards, this specific configuration represents a chief and their entourage or court, serving as a mnemonic key for recounting political lineages and assemblies.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the mnemonic system of the Luba lukasa.
The lukasa utilizes tactile arrangements of beads and shells to map out relationships, migrations, and political structures conceptually rather than literally.
Understanding the coding system is essential to identifying how specific entities like chiefs and their courts are represented.
2
Identify the specific symbol for a ruler and their court.
A large central bead represents the chief, while the surrounding smaller beads represent the chief's council or court.
This matches the symbolic coding of Luba leadership.

Key Concept

Luba lukasa mnemonic coding
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question

Topics

Mnemonic Devices and Record Keeping

More questions from this topic