Makonde people

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Makonde people
Wamakonde
Reinata Sadimba at Maputo workshop 2017.jpg
A makonde artist, Reinata Sadimba,showcasing Makonde artwork at a museum in Maputo, Mozambique
Regions with significant populations
Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania 1,200,000 [1]
Flag of Mozambique.svg  Mozambique 240,000 [1]
Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 3,764 [2]
Flag of France.svg  Mayotte 1,400 [3]
Languages
Kimakonde, Kiswahili, English, Portuguese, French
Religion
In Tanzania:
Related ethnic groups
Person Mmakonde
People Wamakonde
Language Kimakonde
CountryUmakonde

The Makonde are an ethnic group in southeast Tanzania, northern Mozambique, and Kenya. The Makonde developed their culture on the Mueda Plateau in Mozambique. At present they live throughout Tanzania and Mozambique, and have a small presence in Kenya. [7] The Makonde population in Tanzania was estimated in 2001 to be 1,140,000, and the 1997 census in Mozambique put the Makonde population in that country at 233,358, for an estimated total of 1,373,358. The ethnic group is roughly divided by the Ruvuma River; members of the group in Tanzania are referred to as the Makonde, and those in Mozambique as the Maconde. The two groups have developed separate languages over time but share a common origin and culture. [8]

Contents

History

Makonde grainary COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Opslagplaatsen voor rijst TMnr 20014599.jpg
Makonde grainary

The Makonde successfully resisted predation by African, Arab, and European slavers. They did not fall under colonial power until the 1920s. During the 1960s the revolution which drove the Portuguese out of Mozambique was launched from the Makonde homeland of the Mueda Plateau. For a time the revolutionary movement FRELIMO derived some of its financial support from the sale of Makonde carvings, and the group became the backbone of the revolutionary movement. The Maconde of Mozambique, due to their role in the resistance to Portuguese colonial rule, remain an influential group in the politics of the country. [8]

They speak Makonde, also known as ChiMakonde, a Bantu language closely related to Yao. [9] Many speak other languages such as English in Tanzania, Portuguese in Mozambique, and Swahili and Makua in both countries. [9] The Makonde are traditionally a matrilineal society where children and inheritances belong to women, and husbands move into the village of their wives. Their traditional religion is an animistic form of ancestor worship and still continues, although Makonde of Tanzania are nominally Muslim and those of Mozambique are Catholic or Muslim. [10] In Makonde rituals, when a girl becomes a woman, Muidini is the best dancer out of the group of girls undergoing the rituals.

The Makonde are best known for their wood carvings, primarily made of blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon, or mpingo), and their observances of puberty rites. [8]

Kenyan citizenship

Some Makonde people from Mozambique had relocated to Kenya in the 1950s. Early in the 21st century efforts began to obtain Kenyan identity cards to allow the Makonde to exercise their rights and privileges as Kenyan citizens. In 2016, a group of 300 Makonde people trekked from Kwale to Nairobi. [11] The group was led by Diana Gichengo an inclusions activist and accompanied by other human rights supportive stakeholders. They headed to the State House in Nairobi to persuade the President to push their recognition as Kenyan citizens. President Kenyatta gave them a warm welcome. After a well-prepared meal on Thursday 13 October 2016, the President ordered the relevant ministry to provide the Makonde with identity cards by December 2016. [7] [11]

Makonde art

modern Makonde wood carvings Makonde carving 1.jpg
modern Makonde wood carvings

The Makonde traditionally have carved wooden household objects, figures and masks for ritual use. After the 1930s, Makonde art has become an important part of the contemporary art of Africa. The most internationally acknowledged such artist was George Lilanga. [12]

Notable Makonde people

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mozambique</span> Country in Southeastern Africa

Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique, is a country located in southeast Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west, and Eswatini and South Africa to the southwest. The sovereign state is separated from the Comoros, Mayotte and Madagascar by the Mozambique Channel to the east. The capital and largest city is Maputo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zambia</span> Country at the crossroads of Central and Southern Africa

Zambia, officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central, Southern and East Africa. It is typically referred to being in South-Central Africa or Southern Africa. It is bordered to the north by Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique to the southeast, Zimbabwe and Botswana to the south, Namibia to the southwest, and Angola to the west. The capital city of Zambia is Lusaka, located in the south-central part of Zambia. The population is concentrated mainly around Lusaka in the south and the Copperbelt Province to the north, the core economic hubs of the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African art</span> Art originating from indigenous Africans or the African continent

African art describes the modern and historical paintings, sculptures, installations, and other visual culture from native or indigenous Africans and the African continent. The definition may also include the art of the African diasporas, such as: African-American, Caribbean or art in South American societies inspired by African traditions. Despite this diversity, there are unifying artistic themes present when considering the totality of the visual culture from the continent of Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kamba people</span> Ethnic group in Kenya

The Kamba or Akamba people are a Bantu ethnic group who predominantly live in the area of Kenya stretching from Nairobi to Tsavo and north to Embu, in the southern part of the former Eastern Province. This land is called Ukambani and constitutes Makueni County, Kitui County and Machakos County. They also form the second largest ethnic group in 8 counties including Nairobi and Mombasa counties.

The Swahili people comprise mainly Bantu, Afro-Arab and Comorian ethnic groups inhabiting the Swahili coast, an area encompassing the Zanzibar archipelago and mainland Tanzania's seaboard, littoral Kenya, northern Mozambique, the Comoros Islands and Northwest Madagascar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Culture of Tanzania</span> History and present of cultural life in Tanzania

Following Tanganyika's independence (1961) and unification with Zanzibar (1964), leading to the formation of the state of Tanzania, President Julius Nyerere emphasised a need to construct a national identity for the citizens of the new country. To achieve this, Nyerere provided what has been regarded by some commentators as one of the most successful cases of ethnic repression and identity transformation in Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mueda</span> Place in Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique

Mueda is the largest town of the Makonde Plateau in northeastern Mozambique. It is the capital of the Mueda District in Cabo Delgado Province. It is the center of the culture of the Makondes, and the production of their ebony sculptures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mikindani</span> National Historic Site of Tanzania

Mikindani is a historic coastal town located in Mtwara-Mikindani District of Mtwara Region in Tanzania. The name comes from the Swahili word mikinda which means "young coconut trees". Therefore the term "Mikindani', literally means "the place where there are young coconut trees" in old Swahili language. Mikindani is part of the city of Mtwara and is governed by the Mtwara Mikindani Municipal Council. The site is a registered National Historic Site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mwera people</span> Ethnic group from Lindi Region of Tanzania

The Mwera people are a Bantu ethnic and linguistic group. They are native to Kilwa District in southeast Lindi Region. However they have also settled in northern Mtwara Region and eastern Ruvuma Region of Tanzania, as well as along the Ruvuma River between Tanzania and Mozambique.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Lilanga</span> Tanzanian painter and sculptor (1934–2005)

George Lilanga was a Tanzanian painter and sculptor, active from the late 1970s and until the early 21st century. He belonged to the Makonde people and lived most of his life in Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania.

The culture of Mozambique is in large part derived from its history of Bantu, Swahili, and Portuguese rule, and has expanded since independence in 1975. The majority of its inhabitants are black Africans. Its main language is Portuguese. Its median religion is Roman Catholicism, but only about 40% of the inhabitants are Christian. It has a rich history in the areas of arts, cuisine, and entertainment.

Makonde may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shetani</span>

Shetani are spirits of East African mythology and popular belief. Mostly malevolent, and found in many different forms and different types with different powers, shetani are a popular subject of carved artwork, especially by the Makonde people of Tanzania, Mozambique, and Kenya. Physically, shetani of various types appear as distorted human and animal figures.

Negomano or Ngomano is a village in northern Mozambique, in Cabo Delgado Province. It is located on the border with Tanzania on the confluence of the Ruvuma River and the Lugenda River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tingatinga (painting)</span> Painting style from East Africa

Tingatinga is a painting style that originated in East Africa. Tingatinga is one of the most widely represented forms of tourist-oriented paintings in Tanzania, Kenya and neighbouring countries. The genre is named after its founder, Tanzanian painter Edward Tingatinga. Tinga Tinga also insipired kids animation tales, namely Tinga Tinga Tales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Makonde chess set</span>

Makonde chess sets are made by the Makonde people of southwest Tanzania and Mozambique, carved in the Makonde's distinctive style. Chess sets were originally made for export to Europe but the pattern of the pieces follows traditional Makonde designs rather than any established chess pattern.

The name Makonde art refers to East African sculptures or, less frequently, to modern paintings created by craftspeople or artists belonging to the Makonde people of northern Mozambique and southern Tanzania, separated by the Ruvuma river. Art historians, dealers and collectors have created this genre of African art, that can be subdivided into African traditional artifacts or modern artistic works. This genre can be traced back to the 1930s, when the first documented exhibition of Makonde art was held at the Centro Cultural dos Novos in Mozambique.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenya–Mozambique relations</span> Bilateral relations

Kenya–Mozambique relations are bilateral relations between Kenya and Mozambique. Both nations are members of the African Union, Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations.

The Mueda Plateau, also known as the Maconde Plateau, is a plateau in Cabo Delgado Province of northeastern Mozambique.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reinata Sadimba</span> Mozambican ceramicist

Reinata Sadimba is a Mozambican ceramicist who produces work that originates in traditional Makonde pottery, while incorporating her own techniques and conceptions of femininity and motherhood. She is considered among the most important contemporary sculptors in Mozambique.

References

  1. 1 2 John Ndembwike (October 2009). Tanzania: Profile of a Nation. Intercontinental Books. pp. 149–. ISBN   978-9987-9308-1-4.
  2. "2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census Volume IV: Distribution of Population by Socio-Economic Characteristics". Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  3. PeopleGroups.org. "PeopleGroups.org - Makonde of Mayotte". peoplegroups.org. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
  4. 1 2 3 Sousa., Santos, Ana Margarida (2011). History, memory and violence : changing patterns of group relationship in Mocimboa da Praia, Mozambique (PDF). Oxford University.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. Service, Islington Education Library (2003). "Makonde 'Tree Of Life' Carving, Tanzania | Object Lessons - Ceremony & Celebration: Family & Culture". Islington Education Library Service. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
  6. Service, Islington Education Library (2003). "Makonde 'Tree Of Life' Carving, Tanzania | Object Lessons - Ceremony & Celebration: Family & Culture". Islington Education Library Service. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
  7. 1 2 Makone People & Citizenship UNHCR
  8. 1 2 3 Appiah, Kwame Anthony; Gates, Henry Louis, eds. (2010). Encyclopedia of Africa. Vol. 2. Oxford New York: Oxford University Press. p. 115. ISBN   9780195337709.
  9. 1 2 Twelve African Languages - Makonde Dimmendaal, G, J. 2009. Coding Participant Marking: Construction Types in Twelve African Languages. John Benjamins Publishing. p281.
  10. Service, Islington Education Library (2003). "Makonde 'Tree Of Life' Carving, Tanzania | Object Lessons - Ceremony & Celebration: Family & Culture". Islington Education Library Service. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
  11. 1 2 Makonde People Become 43rd Kenyan Tribe News from Africa, 14/10/16, Retrieved 12/04/18
  12. Mohl, M.: Masterpieces of the Makonde (1990)
  13. David Lawrence (12 March 2009). Tanzania and Its People. Intercontinental Books. pp. 41–. ISBN   978-1-4414-8692-9.
  14. https://www.boomplay.com/share/artist/6764334

Further reading