Here we feature a set of two candleholders, hand-carved to portray a Masai warrior and his wife, in traditional dress. I personally selected these sets for their intricate and well done carved lines. Each candleholder was masterfully hand-carved from a single block of rich mahogany wood by an Akamba carver, living in southern Kenya. This is extremely fine, detailed carving, displaying the trademark symbols of the Masai embroidered beadwork and the elongated ear lobes. Each set is unique, not machine-made-identical, so the pose or details in the style of dress may be slightly different. The warrior is holding a removable spear and shield. The carver definitely captured the majestic pride and independence of these resilient warrior people of the African plain. These are truly works of art. Each candleholder stands more than 12 inches tall X 2 inches in diameter. 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. |