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.

Figure representing a single human-like form standing upright in a contorted pose on an adzed base. The figure has elongated legs bent at the knees. The figure's torso is bent into a horizontal position so its back is parallel to the base. The figure's neck is arched backwards so that one side of his face rests on his back. The face is disproportionately large with a grimacing mouth and a flattened nose. The figure has two elongated arms bent at the elbows: one arches upward and rests on his head, the other rests on his knees and ends in an abstracted hand-like appendage.