African Arts Gallery

These pairs of articulated statuettes connected by a cord were offered to newlyweds among the Sukuma, Nyamwezi, and other tribes of Tanzania. Dark brown patina with a sheen.
The Luo, Kuria, Haya and Ziba, the Kéréwé, Karagwé, Sukuma and Nyamézi are established in the west-central and central region of Tanzania. The Nyamwézi are made up of tribes of diverse origins making up the largest group in central Tanzania, and yet sharing the same cultural traits. They were involved in the 19th century in the caravan trade that crossed their territory, the Unyamwézi. They were therefore led to travel from Congo (DRC) to the coastal cities of the Indian Ocean, where they were called "Nyamwézi", "men of the moon" or "men of the West". Organized into villages led by chiefs, their spiritual life nevertheless remained under the responsibility of the sorcerer.