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.

Two animal-like figures. The upper one has an elongated head, oval eyes, a nose, and a rabbit-like ear appendage on the top of the head. Its beak-like mouth joins the mouth of the second figure. Body is vertical. Upper figure has three appendages: on the left, there is a long and slender one which grasps the left limb of the second figure; the appendage on the right extends to the base and ends in a foot; and the rear appendage terminates in the back of the second figure. Second figure is below the first and the top of the elongated head rests on the base with long oval eyes, a nose, an mouth open, and a horizontal body. Two long narrow limbs: one on the left and at the rear of the figure, both of which extend to the base and end in a foot.