"Ujamaa" Makonde wood Sculptures
A substantial hand carved sculpture by the Makonde* from a single piece of African blackwood (Ebony)locally known as "Mpingo" in the style of "Ujamaa".
Also known as "trees of life" or "people poles", the intricate ujamaa carvings depict a column of naturalistically-carved intertwined human figures. Often appearing as though locked in dance, these are the works which brought Makonde their fame - lively and exciting, full of movement, rhythm and balance.
The word ujamaa has many meanings - brotherhood, cooperation, family, togetherness - and was also a by-word for post-independence Tanzanian politics: after freedom (uhuru) came ujamaa - unity, which was used to describe the government's collective social policy. The meaning in the context of the carvings is clear: from one block of wood comes the unity of the family, society and ancestors.
The older generation is depicted on the bottom, supporting (literally and symbolically) later generations. The central figure is usually a mother surrounded by many clinging children. This theme has its roots in the creation myth of the Makonde, in which a woman was the first human ancestor.
