Southeast Tanzania and Northern Mozambique
Makonde

Wood, hide
Early-Mid-20th century
Height: 40 inches
Membranophone – Struck (Directly) – Single Headed

This Makonde drum  called ‘likuti,’ with anthropomorphic legs and female imagery suggest that it was used for special occasions. It is goblet shaped with incised patterns on the torso. Excellent patina and signs of tribal use. Because The Makonde of Tanzania and Mozambique are separated by the Rovuma River and are culturally distinct, the first contacts with Europeans did not occur until 1910, and then they were very sporadic. Recently, enclaves of Makonde have developed on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam and of Kambia in Kenya, although they seem to limit their interaction with outsiders, preferring to identify with their own cultural traditions.