This is a beautiful decorative mask from Kenya, Africa, showing intricate patterns of many traditional symbols. Made of African mahogany wood by an Akamba woodcarver, this piece representing a Masai warrior has great detail and vivid coloration in traditional colors. The mask itself is totally handcrafted from a single piece of wood and painted using natural dyes. There are two wooden knives, which slip into a leather band in the back of the mask. The handles of these knives are carved to look like Masai warriors with removable spears and shields. When the knives are fastened into the mask, it makes it look like the mask has “eyes”. There are beaded ornaments and feathered headdresses on these figures, as well as larger beads (seeds) on the warrior above the elephant at the top of the mask. The Akamba carvers also call this a “kissing” mask because of the profile of a man and a woman carved in the headdress, representing marital unity. Thus, many aspects of tribal values are represented in this mask: leadership (elephant), strength & courage (the warriors), power (knives) and the tribe and family. A Very Unusual piece! As a gift or a personal treasure, this art piece represents a combination of the old and new styles: aesthetically beautiful, typically African in detail and expression, and totally hand crafted. Adding distinction and color to any wall, this mask is approx. 14 inches long by 7 inches wide. In rough woodsheds and under the shade of the mango trees, Akamba wood carvers work in a craft-cooperative, surrounded with sounds of chipping and sanding, men’s voices and laughter, occasional singing and the spicy, tangy smell of exotic woods. Here the craftsmen reduce single pieces of wood into useful and beautiful pieces of folk art, using only simple hand tools of axes, various-sized knives, files and sandpaper. The Akamba people are famous all over the world for their unique wood carving skills, which are passed from generation to generation. I have met Akamba men who were 5th generation wood carvers. |