Makonde Njorowe or Belly mask from Tanzania symbolising fertility, healthy childbirth and good parenting

Wood, fabric edge binding, vegetal fibre cord relief pattern. Also decorated with markings representing the typical raised tattoos of the Makonde Measures approx 600mm (l) x 250mm (w) x 200mm (d) or 23.6 inches x 9.8 inches x 7.9 inches 

These body masks are worn, in conjunction with a female facemask, during masquerades that dramatise childbirth. In this context they are used as educational tools, to demonstrate to young adults in the community the realities and responsibilities of parenthood 

Makonde

The Creation Myth

"The first Makonde settled along the Ruvuma River.  He was not yet fully a human being.  He was unkempt, starving and desperate.  One night he felt sad and dispirited.  For entertainment her carved an image of himself out of a piece of wood.  When he woke in the morning, the sculpture he carved was alive.  It had become a woman in the flesh.  He found great pleasure in her company to the extent that he bathed himself clean and took good care of his appearance as a man.  But as long as they live along the Ruvuma River, their children caught ill and died.  When they move to the semi-arid plateau they were able to have a long and happy life together".  -  collected by Pater Adams 1902

The Makonde belonging to the Bantu group of people, originally living in Mozambique, but have migrated intoTanzania too. The Makonde identified withthe developed sculpture traditions originating from Cabo Delgado in northern Mozambique.  On the high Palteau of Cabo Delgado, more like a fortress than congenial home, the Makonde were both isolated and insulated.  The plateau had a thick thorny bush called Konde, hence 'people ofkonde' or Makonde. Here, they escaped the slave trade and ethnic skirmishes.This province is regarded as the original home of the Makonde. The greater part of the Makonde migration took place between the sencond and thirdquarters of the ninteenth century and occupied the Newala plateau where the majority of the Tanzanian Makonde live today. 

The migration has resulted in blurring of their ethnic identities and sharing of certain ideas.  They prefer to limit their interaction with others, rather identifying with their own cultural traditions.

They are a faming group of people, practicing slash and burn farming.  Their crops include maize, sorghum, and cassava.  This is supplemented by hunting.

They undertook carving for the tourist trade from an economic standpoint in the early 1900’s with the colonization of East Africa and are known as master carvers in East Africa; their carvings can be seen sold in museums and tourists market alike.

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