Makonde Shetani Wood Carving Tanzania MATTER COLLECTION

This carved wooden Shetani figure, created in 1976, represents one of the most distinctive sculptural traditions of the Makonde people of Tanzania and northern Mozambique. The term Shetani (from the Swahili word for “spirit” or “devil”) refers to supernatural beings that inhabit the Makonde spiritual imagination.

Emerging prominently in the mid-20th century, Shetani sculptures are known for their dramatic, otherworldly forms — often featuring elongated limbs, exaggerated facial features, open mouths, and contorted or asymmetrical bodies. These expressive distortions are intentional, conveying the unpredictable and powerful nature of the spirit world.

Carved most commonly from dense African hardwood such as ebony, Shetani figures display smooth, polished surfaces contrasted with deeply carved negative spaces. The dynamic composition often appears fluid and almost surreal, as if the spirit is in motion or transforming before the viewer.

By 1976, the Shetani style had gained international recognition, symbolizing both traditional belief systems and modern African artistic innovation. This example reflects that powerful intersection — rooted in Makonde cosmology while embracing bold, contemporary sculptural expression.

A compelling and evocative work, a 1976 Makonde Shetani embodies spiritual intensity, masterful carving, and the enduring creativity of East African art.

Provenance: Matter Collection

From the collection of Margie and Phil Matter. Margie lived in South Africa, and later she and her husband Phil opened a gallery in Tucson. Everything in this collection was in their home for more than thirty years. Africa Direct recently bought the collection; at 95, Margie wants to share the things she has loved so much.

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