Breastplate of a pregnant woman "njorowe" ·  Mozambique, Makonde · ID: 3046548

Description

light wood, colour pigments, beeswax, insect caused damage, base

The initiation celebrations of the Makonde, which accompanied the entry into adult life, included feasts, dances and the performances of the “midimu” ghost dancers (sing. “ndimu”).

Female body masks were part of the clothing of a special “ndimu” mask dancer called “amwalindembo”, who was supposed to be a young pregnant woman.

The body masks were always worn by a male dancer masked with a matching female face mask. The “amwalindembo” performed a quiet dignified dance to demonstrate the pain of giving birth.

Comparing literature

Phillips, Tom (Hg.), Afrika, Die Kunst eines Kontinents, Berlin 1996, p. 175