Among the Lega people of Congo it is customary to stretch a rope of vegetable fibers in the common house, at the center of the village. On it are hung objects of plant and animal origin, miniatures of figures and various tools: goods of everyday life. Each element corresponds to proverbs and stories which transmit knowledge. It corresponds to their tribal code, which is necessary for learning and teaching, for thinking and reasoning, and for communicating and expressing one's thoughts
Mupuka
At the beginning of the Mutanga there is a large stick, the "Mupuka", which represents the robust person. It teaches that "he who is at the head of the fighters, is the one who leads the war". Those who are strong must know how to take on the heaviest efforts.
Lweku or Mpeku
The raffia thread is a thin and manageable fiber of the Palm, "its malleability makes it indispensable". With this object, the Lega express the importance of being polite, affable and sweet-natured people because, only in this way, can you be well-liked by everyone.
Masina
This name indicates the roots of the palm, which, firmly in the ground "do not swing with the wind, as happens instead with for the stalk and the top".
They transmit the teaching of being firm, like a true head of the family who stands firm in difficult times.
Mutama
The sorghum that the Lega also use to ferment banana beer is associated with this proverb: "Your village neighbor pours you beer, but he has hatred in his heart", which teaches that a glass of beer is not denied to anyone; but, beware, it can be poisoned.
Nsulu
It corresponds to the dress with which a man covers himself and the saying is associated with it: "the garment that a man possesses is the one with which he covers himself". Thus the Lega learn the value of knowing how to be satisfied because, when you don't have what you want, you have to be happy with what you have.
Mwene
The miniature knife teaches that "the man who constantly wields his knife will remain alone in the house".
Those who are rude, aggressive, threatening will be shunned by everyone, even by members of their own family.
Luibi
The door is the symbol of the elder of the village, or of the judge who sees the exterior and interior of things. It is like the half closed eyes of the masks which perceive things by meditating on them from within. "The door sees the inside and the outside of the house".
Mugone
The copper bracelet teaches the need to always seek the collaboration of others since "a single bracelet on the wrist does not jingle". Its shimmer is eye-catching, but not everyone can have it. Therefore we must not allow ourselves to be misled by the appearances of riches.
Nkola
The great land snail conveys the value of commitment, for "whoever goes to the river collects snails, while those who stay in the village will gain only shells". The lazy ones who remain in the village will only have shells; thus, you need to work hard to get something.
Iyili
The crab claw tells of how crabs, once caught in the net, get infuriated with each other, giving signs of wickedness and bad temper. Therefore "those who have no personality are like crabs, put in a basket, they will only tease each other".
Kikoku
"The little water snail is extraordinary, for it will cross waterfalls". This snail is the symbol of intelligence that allows you to overcome obstacles, and reach any goal.
Nkoko
The rooster's feather teaches how "the rooster doesn't have a big neck, but his cry reaches far away". It is not essential to be strong and big, to have authority and to be heard.
Ikaga
The Pangolin is the sacred animal, symbolic totem of the Lega. It represents their unity, as its scales overlapping each other create an impenetrable armor; thus the Lega protect and help each other.
There was not writing in the traditional Lega society; thus they developed their own communication system through the observation of things. Each object and symbol, allows one to come to understand the real message and the true meaning hidden in them.
These are just some of the symbolic objects of Mutanga, the Cord of Wisdom of this African people.
