The Kuba tribe is part of the Bukuba, which is a confederation of around eighteen ethnic groups in Zaire. Each ethnic group maintains their own individual style of African art. The pipe features a woman with scarification marks on her forehead and an elaborate headdress, which has geometric designs, which is a highly favorite form of decoration, used by the Kuba tribe. A currie shell, which symbolizes wealth, has been imbedded in chest. The remainder of the pipe has been further decorated with geometric designs and copper coils.