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.

Figure depicting an abstract form with holes bored in the sides of the head representing eyes, an open mouth with incised short lines representing teeth, and a tapering tail-like extension to its right-hand side. The figure sits on an irregularly shaped base.