Sukuma Pregnant Sitting Female Sculpture Tanzania

An excellent carving from Tanzania; we are unsure the people who produced this piece. The pregnant woman form is common in Sukuma art, but the characteristics are varied in this statue. She clearly represents a woman withchild: her hands rest on her mouned belly and her hips are exagerated and wide. Eqiupped with and attached to a custom base, this statue is ready for display in private or public collection.

Carved figures such as this from Tanzania pose problems of identity and must be generally assigned to a number of different people including the Pare, Chaga, Kwere or Chamba/ Shamba. It must be remembered that this area of Africa does not have the great variety or numbers of sculpture and masks as found in West Africa. Though the ethnic diversity in the region is complex that they often share sculptural styles and forms. It is also the case that they have been not well studied to fully define the use and function of sculptures and masks among East African groups. Figures such as this are used during initiations and by traditional practitioners of healing rituals. They also are said to be commemorate an ancestor.

Tanzanian tribal art is less researched and published than Western and Central art. There are still superb pieces coming out of rural areas. The best resource on Tanzanian art is Marc Felix's MWANA HITI.

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