“Family Tree” carvings embody the work of one carver for many weeks, sometimes for many months. These sculptures show an intricacy of fine details and design which are only made possible by the ebony wood’s characteristics of density, strength and durability. Ebony or mpingo bark is a light color under which is the heart wood which is very hard and varies in color from a deep red-brown to black, depending on the type of soil and age of the tree. The carving was done by a master carver using only simple hand tools of adzes, various-sized knives and sandpaper. When finished, each carving is polished to a high sheen. The artist has signed his name on the bottom of this carving to give it greater distinction. The Makonde are Bantu-speaking people who live in both northeastern Mozambique and southeastern Tanzania. The Makonde clans originally lived in Mozambique. Wood carving is an important part of Mokonde life, both in the traditional religion of ancestor worship and in their own myth of creation. When the Makonde moved to Tanzania, woodcarving trade became an important supplement to their slash-and-burn agricultural economy. The Makonde people still follow their three-part view of the world, consisting of the sky—home of the gods, the world of the spirits, and the human realm. This sculpture is 21 inches tall and more than 4 inches wide. |