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.

Elongated humanoid figure with slight incising for hair on the head. Torso has two breast-like appendages. Three long, thin, leg-like limbs extend from the pelvic region and end in pad-like structures on the base. Another long, thin appendage joins the ventral pelvic area to the chin. Sculpture is loose on the base.