Makonde

"Makonde" is the name given to the traditional carving in Tanzania. Ebony is used, but there are also imitations, artificially darkened.

Though I can appreciate the amount of work which goes into each piece, I did not become a fan.

The wonderful thing about a group tour is the number of things one sees which one would miss if on a solo trip. The bad thing about group travel is that one does not have a choice in what one sees. Had I seen any work NOT produced for the tourist market, my opinion about Tanzania handicrafts might be very different.

I think my fellow travelers were very pleased with what they saw. I did buy one small bowl because the giraffes carved into it looked completely different from any of the many other giraffe decorated bowls. Yes, I like "different".:-)

For more information about Makonde:
http://www.blackwoodconservation.org/carving.html