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.

Figure with a figure represented on one side and the framework of another face towards the centre. The figure has an elongated face and an earring in one ear. Its body is carved with short grooves. An interconnecting piece with carved short grooves joins with the nostril of the central face, and a breast hangs from this interconnecting piece. The central face framework is formed by eyes, cheekbones, a nose and mouth. At the bottom side are lips and teeth with a circular piece carved with small grooves on the top surface. A human arm and hand extend out from the lips and teeth towards the back of the sculpture. The hand connects with cheekbone from center framework. The figure stands on an irregularly shaped platform.