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.

Pipe smoking represents the use of drugs. Through use of this agent, men and spirits communicated.

Figure depicting two figures, the topmost figure smoking a pipe, its head is narrow and humanoid, and the bridge of the figure's nose begins at the forehead. A basket-like bag hangs down in front from the figure's neck and the pipe stem enters this bag. The arm on the left hangs down and rests against the bottom figure's bent leg. The arm on the right clasps the stomach of the bottom figure. The bottom figure is bird-like, bent over a drum, the left arm touches the head of the drum, and the figure's right arm on clasps its bent leg. The two figures are joined by a column which descends from the back of the top figure and wraps itself around the head of the lower one. The top figure is textured with thin lines while the pipe bag has a crosshatched texture.