Carving

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.

Four interwoven human figures and one reptile. The reptile, one figure, and two other figures, one superimposed on the other, face outward on one side. Two of the figures grasp the reptile at the tail and below head. Reptile's tongue melds with the ear of lower figure. On the other side, there is a female figure with a container on her head. All humanoid figures have incising on their skirts and hair.