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Nativities Around the World: Africa

Zululand - 2002                                                                              Zaire - 1997

The Kwa Zigi Gimi in Northern Kwazulu specialize in hand-making beaded dolls. They have expanded their art from exclusively making traditional Fertility Dolls.

Purchased in Ten Thousand Villages in 2002.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Purchased at the International Créche Festival in 1997.

Rio Congo - 2000                                                                           Malawi - 1997

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased at Ten Thousand Villages in 2000.                                                                                                       Purchased in Bellingham, Washington in 1997.

Kenya

The holy family is portrayed as a part of the Maasai people from Kenya and northern Tanzania. Joseph and Mary have stretched earlobes, a traditional body modification of the Maasai, and wear elaborate beaded adornments and colorful clothing. Baby Jesus’s head is shaved clean except for a tuft of hair from the nape of the neck to the forehead, a typical hair cut for young children.

Purchased in Hands Around the World in 2005.

This graceful nativity is carved from Kenyan soapstone, a soft and smooth stone. Soapstone is mined by hand in the hills of southwestern Kenya. Carvers first break the stones into a manageable size and rough shape. The soapstone is immersed in water making it easier to carve. Following chiseling pieces into forms, the stone is smoothed using sandpaper. More intricate details are then etched with a smaller knife. The finished product is polished with a shiny wax cream.

Purchased from Hands Around the World in 1997.

Uganda - 2001

The figures in this nativity scene are made from banana leaves which are soaked in water to make them pliable and easily shapeable. Once dried, a clear shellac is applied.

This was purchased at Ten Thousand Villages in North Carolina in 2001. 

Nigeria

Nigerian thorn carvings, or “tourist art”, are created out of 5 inch thorns from the Ata and Egungun trees. Thorns come in three colors: cream, rose, and brown. These carvings are produced principally by the Yoruba people, one of the three largest ethnic groups of Nigeria. Artisans incorporate everyday Nigerian life into their tableaus. Protruding elements, like the arms and gifts, are attached with glue made from rice cooked with water.

Purchased in Hands Around the World in 1992. 

This nativity scene is also carved from thornwood by Nigerian artisans.  

Purchased in Hands Around the World in 2004

Tanzania - 1997

Petro Paulo Mayige sells his art to tourists at a Village Museum in Dar Es Salaam. He started sculpting at the age of 7. The highly detailed clay figures are dipped into cashew sap to give them their unusual finish. He received second price at the Buckingham, Washington Crèche Festival, where this nativity was purchased. His work is also found in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

 

Liberia

 

These figures were made from AK-47 metal shell casings from the Liberian Civil War (1989-1997). 

*Donated by Chris Nonhoff.