This mask was carved in the style of the Makonde people of Tanzania. The mask features a face with enlarged lips and has been carved with exposed teeth. It measures 9.5 inches tall and 13 inches in length and weighs 2.5 pounds. The piece appears to be in good condition with minor imperfections. Stand is not included.
| Type of Object | Mask |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Tanzania |
| Ethnicity | Makonde |
| Material | Wood, Pigment |
| Approximate Age | Unknown |
| Height (Inches) | 9.5" |
| Width (Inches) | 9" |
| Depth (Inches) | 13" |
| Weight (Pounds) | 2.5 lbs |
| Overall Condition | Good with minor imperfections. |
Tribe Information
About the Makonde People
The Makonde people reside throughout Tanzania, Mozambique and Kenya. The groups living in Tanzania and Mozambique are divided by the Ruvuma River. Those on the Mozambique side are known as Maconde. The two groups have developed separate languages over time but share certain ideas.
The Makonde are a matrilineal society, meaning inheritances belong to women and typically, the husband will move to the village of his wife. Each village is an individual settlement with their own headman. There is no ruler of all the Makonde peoples.
Due to the remoteness of the Makonde, they did not have contact with the Europeans until the early 1900’s, although there is evidence of involvement with Swahili slave traders for centuries.