The Makonde are an ethnic group in
southeast Tanzania and northern Mozambique. The Makonde developed their culture
on the Mueda Plateau in Mozambique. At present they live throughout Tanzania
and Mozambique and have a small presence in Kenya.
The Makonde
successfully resisted predation by African, Arab, and European slavers. They
did not fall under colonial power until the 1920s. During the 1960s the
revolution which drove the Portuguese out of Mozambique was launched from the
Makonde homeland of the Mueda Plateau. At one period this revolutionary
movement known as 'Frelimo' derived a part of its financial support from the
sale of Makonde carvings. The Makonde are best known for their wood carvings
and their observances of puberty rites.
This fine
example measures 23.5 inches tall and 7.5 inches wide