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African Carved Wooden Makonde Initiation Ceremony Mask

$1,200
£907.05
€1,042.36
CA$1,670.99
A$1,858.91
CHF 974.46
MX$22,715.44
NOK 12,408.59
SEK 11,680.97
DKK 7,780.85
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About the Item

African Carved Wood Makonde Mask Heavy wood carved ceremonial mask symbolizing an ancestor 16.5 x 8 x 10 inches A carved ceremonial mask symbolizing an ancestor, this African facial masks and body masks worn by the Makonde people during initiation ceremonies and dances. The Makonde are an ethnic group known for their wood carvings, masks, and figurines. They are from southern Tanzania and northern Mozambique, but also have a small presence in Kenya. Here are some things to know about the Makonde: Art The Makonde are known for their wood carvings, including elaborate masks and figurines. Their art is used to educate, create awareness, and teach children about values and virtues. Masks The Makonde are known for their lipiko masks, which are worn over the head like a helmet. The masks are carved from wild kapok trees and decorated with specific characteristics that represent certain ethnic groups or genders. Ujamaa style of sculpting The Makonde's Ujamaa style of sculpting tells stories about family, tribal communities, and larger social entities. Ujamaa sculptures can stand up to two meters high and are carved from the trunk of an mpingo tree. Language The Makonde language has front, back, high, mid, and low vowels, as well as labial, alveolar, palatal, velar, glottal, plosive, voiceless, prenasal, affricate, fricative, nasal, lateral, and approximant consonants. Kenya Some Makonde people in Kenya are descendants of exiled freedom fighters, refugees fleeing civil war, or laborers who worked on sisal farms and sugar plantations during the colonial period.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 16.5 in (41.91 cm)Width: 8 in (20.32 cm)Depth: 10 in (25.4 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Beachwood, OH
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1768215508772

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