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.

Serpent, ancestral spirits, and fertility are closely related in Makonde mythology.

Slim, carved figure with a small base mounted on a larger brown rectangular wood base. Slim, large human-like head with a prominent tongue and a long snake-like downward projection at one side of the mouth. Against the other side of the head, there is the vestige of an arm or a leg which is also somewhat like a snake. Two bodies share the same head. Front body is elongated with two human breasts below the navel extend to the small base. One foot and a long human leg rest on the back of the base and merge into a short body which supports the head at the back of the neck. "CHANUO" is carved on the left side of the base. On a yellow-brown wood base.