A rare museum collectors item from southeastern Tanzania, created by the Makonde people.

Worn at initiation ceremonies, this body mask is worn by a male dancer who imitates the struggles of childbirth during the ceremony. A unique carving from a single piece of wood created to fit around the body of the dancer symbolizing fertility and womanhood. 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. 10" X 2 feet! Hand-carved in Tanzania.