Tanzania
-- Material
Culture
Each
of Tanzania's
ethnic groups
has a wide
range of
material
cultural
products
including
architecture,
cooking
utensils,
clothes,
textiles,
farming
equipment,
hunting
tools, baskets,
mats, head
rests, shields,
art, carvings,
sculpture,
and so on.
The following
only highlights
a very few
number of
their cultural
materials.
Tingatinga
paintings
are a common
sight in
tourist
markets
and galleries.
Tingatinga
was the
name of
a Tanzanian
artist who
developed
this tradition.
His subjects
were familiar
things,
such as
animals,
birds, and
people.
His work
gave birth
to a style
of painting
on wood
that uses
bright colors
to represent
stylized
animals
and birds
(usually
with the
heads pointing
downward)
painted
in two dimensions.
There is
now a Tingatinga
Co-operative
Society,
established
in 1990,
named after
the late
Tingatinga.
Here artists
of this
tradition
come together
to work
and hold
exhibits
of their
work.
Intricately
woven baskets
are done
in geometric
designs.
As dye quality
has improved,
the colors
have brightened.
In Zanzibar,
carpenters
make doors
with carved
designs
in geometric
patterns.
These doors
reveal the
island's
Arabic influence,
history,
and tradition.
Wood
carving
is another
important
craft. Much
of the work
is for the
tourist
market and
its subjects
are animals
and human
figures.
One important
tradition
among these
carvers
is the ebony
sculptures
produce
by the Makonde.
They produce
a sculpture
known as
"the
tree of
life"
which depicts
a family
ancestor
at the bottom
with generations
of people
being supported
by past
generations.
Jewelry
in Tanzania
is as diverse
as its ethnic
groups.
The Maasai
have large
colorful
beaded necklaces
that they
wear in
layers.
In Zanzibar,
the jewelry
has more
of an Indian
element.
Silver and
gold pieces
are used
as investments
and to transfer
Shillings
into a stable
economic
form. Jewelry
from malachite,
coconut
shells,
and ebony
is also
popular.
For
Further
Reading:
Stout,
J. Anthony.
1966. Modern
Makonde
Sculpture.
Nairobi:
Kibo Art
Gallery.
Korn, Jorn.
1974. Modern
Makonde
Arts.
Translated
and Photographs
by Jester
Kirkanqes.
London:
Hamlyn.
Wembah-Rshid,
J. A. R.
1972. Tingatinga
of Tanzania.
African
Arts 5 (4):2021.
