Makonde Wood Carving From Tanzania

Other things which are performed by Makonde tribe is competition on traditional dancing, traditional from making black (Iron smith) for various tools for "WAHUNZI" farming, hunting. Weapons like "arrows" under the Makonde system the "clan" which was to be highly recognized is the clan which worn the art of carving.

THE ART OF CARVING
The Makonde youngs do start learning the art of carving from the age of 8 years, the boys got the training from their grandfathers or from their fathers, this type of training was normally conducted before the young boys start the normal primary school education. The sense of seeing is the key scene in this training. Several individuals, farms and activities were shown in one piece of wood. Dreams the carving maker" will produce, Devils and very fearful carvings.


In the 19th Century when the missionaries visited the Makonde area on their intention to preach religion, they took time to adapt although later on they changed. Their firm stand in belief they believed on "ancestors" who died before to adapt on the change they started making carving on the "Cross" of Jesus Christ which were used to preach Christianity, Maria the mother of Jesus, candles etc. Some of the Missionaries returned home in Europe after completion of their stay in missionaries works. They gave Europeans informations about Makonde carving art.

The rewards from Makonde carving, which were taken back home by missionaries signified the art of Makonde carving. After these events of missionaries most of visitors coming abroad were searching for Makonde carving once they came to Tanzania. Visitors came with difference things to make exchange of Makonde carving. Later on small traders came to buy Makonde carving products but they were paying very little, this situation made some of the craftsmen to look for better market places. They started shifting to other places like Dar es Salaam, Kilwa, Bagamoyo, others thought of going to important tourism areas. Even thought the benefits are still low due to the fact that they have low capital for better investment in the entrepreneur

For the Makonde tribe boys of 6 to 7 years of age were taken to special places for circumcision that was a sign that the boy has changed his status from childhood to adult, it is at this stage where these young men were taught to make things, customs, disciplines etc.  These young boys were trained by a man who was appearing in a very fear full costume holding in his hands various Makonde carving, the elders would notify the young's on visitors coming, with the animal skins dressings. The visitor was appearing with three types of Makonde carving. The first carving was of grandmother type, and they were told that you could make jokes with grandmother. The second was of a lady; representing mother this sign showed that you should make respect to mothers because they were parents and elders. No jokes were allowed. The third carving was of a girl whom you can play together, make jokes and later on you could get marriage to her.

The Makonde tribe is the among the importance tribe of Tanzania. They origin is said to be from the Northern part of Mozambique.  The Makonde shifted from Mozambique during the 18th Century when they were escaping the tribal war between them and the Ngoni tribe which were originating from South Africa and later on the slave trade move. When they shifted to Tanzania they occupied Mtwara, Lindi and Ruvuma regions. The Makonde tribe maintained their culture and customs, could be easily identified by marked (slashed) faces around their eyes, the art of making "carving" in Tanzania easily named as "MAKONDE CARVINGS".   By using carving they were able to educate the community regarding different issues, events and happenings.

THE  MAKONDE CARVING HISTORY FROM TANZANIA,EAST AFRICA

MAKONDE WOOD CARVING FROM TANZANIA,East Africa