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.

Birds were considered as carriers of fertility. This carving shows Christian influence. The artist sees the integration of Christian symbols and forms as intensifying, not threatening, the traditional agents of power.

Figure composed of an elongated carving featuring three figures: one male figure at one end has jaw-length hair with bangs, and is wearing a garment with a triangular bib; one female at the opposite end with long hair, elongated breasts, and a rosary around her neck; and a stylized bird figure. The man's torso rests against the bird's ventral area, the bird is biting one of the woman's limbs, and the female figure's other limb transforms into one of the man's limbs, thus making a slender form which connects the woman to the man.