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 have an ancestress cult. Female body masks, depicting a torso with breasts, pregnant belly, and sometimes scarification patterns, promoted fertility. This female body mask was part of the costume of a special Ndimu masker called amwalindembo presenting a young pregnant woman. The mask was worn by a man and his performances emphasize the difficulty of childbirth.
- Material: Wood
- Condition: Good
- Origin: Tanzania
- SKU: LMSK-059
- Weight: 0.8 kg
- Dimensions: 26.5 x 52 x 17 cm