Kuba Kingdom at Nsheng

Nsheng, also written Mushenge, is the capital of the Kuba kingdom in Kasai, and the kingdom is not a historical one: the court continues, with a reigning nyim and the ceremonial structure around him. Kuba art is among the best known from central Africa - raffia cut-pile textiles, carved cups and boxes, royal ndop portrait figures and elaborate masks - and much of it was made for and by this court. Visits are arranged through the court and involve protocol rather than a ticket.

What you actually see

• The royal compound - the court at Nsheng, with its buildings and enclosures.
• The raffia textiles - cut-pile cloth and appliqué panels, the tradition the Kuba are known for.
• The masks and regalia - royal masks and objects, shown by arrangement with the court.
• The carving - cups, boxes and figures in the style that made Kuba art internationally collected.

When to go

May to September is the dry season and the practical window for the roads into Kasai. Ceremonies follow the court's own calendar. Arrangements are made in advance through intermediaries rather than on arrival.

Honest expectations

This is a functioning royal court, not a museum, and access depends entirely on protocol and permission; turning up unannounced is not appropriate. Roads into Kasai are long and poor. Photography is controlled and gifts to the court are customary.

Nearby

Mweka is the nearest road town, and Kananga is the regional centre.