Figure

The Makonde were a matriarchal, agricultural society. Traditionally, it is thought, the sculpture of the Makonde was restricted to ceremonial and ritual goods. Shetani spirits or creatures, now seen in contemporary Makonde sculpture, were probably unknown before the advent of commercial art production in the mid-1950's. Tales of encounters with these rarely seen spirits or creatures were part of Makonde mythology and folklore and may have served as artistic inspiration for the pieces.

Commercial art.

The serpent represents power, fertility and immortality. The sorcerer is often shown with a serpent familiar. Birds, snakes, and beasts embody human form - man - and add their symbolic power to him.

The main figure has a head with an open mouth that has the tongue protruding downwards. Three slender limbs flow down towards the base. The left limb has a foot placed inwards on the base. A third inside limb has long slender fingers clasped around the neck of a serpent-like creature that flows upwards from the center of the base towards the protruding tongue. On a wooden base.