Yombe refers to several ethnic groups mostly living on the Northern Province of Zambia and in the south-western part of the Republic of the Congo, with others living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola.
Primary Yombe social divisions are based on membership in one of nine clans. All clans trace their heritage to Mbaangala who had nine daughters whose names are the same as the clan that each founded. Yombe peoples more readily affiliate with fellow clan members, and each clan has its own set of social and moral rules. Historically the Yombe recognized a supreme chief, but today there are instead localized land chiefs who act as supreme judges and maintain a great deal of religious power. Every prominent leader in a clan owned his own horn, which was blown to announce his arrival at special events and state occasions. Ivory transverse horn, the head of which is superbly carved in the form of a seated figure, wearing a tall headdress and holding a vessel. The figure most probably represents the ancestral protective figure of the clan.
On the lower part, frontally represented face in low-relief, characterised by open mouth with visibly filed teeth and round bulging eyes. Scarification on both cheeks and the fore-head.
On the convave side of the horn, pierced rectangular section serving as blow hole. The hole is oval in shape, and set in a low-relief oval which juts out slightly from the tusk. The rest of the tusk is decorated by zones of finely incised stylised naturalistic patterns.
The horn has a glossy natural patina and is preserved in excellent condition.