Final answer:
The figure with Bowl (Mboko) likely symbolizes the importance of females in Luba culture, reflecting societal values and spirituality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The figure with Bowl (Mboko), from the Luba Culture in the Democratic Republic of Congo, most likely represents the importance of females in Luba society. This interpretation is supported by the cultural context in which woman-and-child figures are visual metaphors for both individual and societal fertility, reflecting their matrilineal social organization. The Luba people trace their kinship through their mother's side of the family. Furthermore, the presence of such figures in funeral processions and libation ceremonies highlights their significance in rituals and spiritual practices. The art of the Kuba also shows a strong connection to royal figures and fertility, with ndops closely associated with kings' fertility and well-being. Similarly, the figure explained by Guest Curator Dr. Denise Rogers from the Dogon culture, with its intersex qualities, underscores a deeper, society-wide acknowledgment of a blend between male and female energies and power. Finally, the description of ritual objects from the Dogon culture illustrates the essential nature of such female-associated figures in their artistic depiction and their overall roles within the society.