Life-Size Makonde Pregnant Body Mask
Product Description
A rare museum collector's item from southeastern Tanzania created by the Makonde people. Worn at initiation ceremonies,this body mask is worn by male dancer who imitates the struggle of childbirth during the ceremony. A unique carving from a single piece of wood created to around the body of the dancer symbolizing fertility and woman-hood. According to legend, the first man had carved a woman figure into a tree, which, when he woke up had become a real woman. During their life together, they had many children and at the end of her life, the first woman became the ancestress of the Makonde People.
