| Makonde & Kwere or Zigua Calabash medicine containers Tanzania, eastern Africa |
| Objects such as the ones below were used to hold medicine. They were traditionally used by the traditional healer to contain either liquids or powders that were then used during the healing ceremony. It was a tradition in Tanzania to finely carve to tops of the containers, which then gave the container more person importance and made it possible to directly link the piece to a certain tribe and region mostly by the shape of the head and headstyle on the stopper. Calabashes and antelope horns are frequently used as containers for medicines, sacred oils, and other substances among different Tanzanian peoples. They are often closed with beautifully carved wooden stoppers, miniature heads that mimic larger sculptures and masks. As part of their healing repertoire, the Makonde use horn containers filled with medicinal substances. These functional objects become even more potent as healing devices when they are combined with feathers and carved heads that may represent ancestor spirits. Art Makonde 1989: 77-79,108-109. |
| Kwere or Zigua calabash medicine container - Tanzania 8" (21 cm) Gourd, wood, beads, cloth, metal, applied substance This object was in the exhibition: "Native Arts of the World...At Home in Colorado - The Douglas Society Collects" I really enjoy the finely carved stopper on this medicine gourd, I especially love the detail in the hands and also the placement of the hands with one on the stomach and the other placed behind the back. The applied beads, metal and cloth adorn the gourd and really give it a nice overall presence. Click on image to see larger version |
| The objects below are in the Geller Collection |
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| Kwere or Zigua calabash medicine container Tanzania In the Geller Collection Provenance: Bryan Reeves with Tribal Gathering London |
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| Kwere or Zigua calabash medicine container Tanzania In the Geller Collection Provenance: Bryan Reeves with Tribal Gathering London |
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| Other examples for reference purposes |
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| From the fantastic book: Paures de Tete (Hairstyles and Headdresses) from the Musee Dapper in Paris Kwere – Tanzania Three small bottles Wood, fibers, gourd, beads and pigment H 10cm Private collection Photo Hughes Dubios – Musee Dapper, Paris |
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| Containers with Anthropomorphic Stoppers. Makonde, Tanzania. Antelope horn, feathers and wood. H. 15 In., Private collection. Makonde, Tanzania. Calabash, beads, and wood. H. 6 1/2 in. Jean and Noble Endicott. Unknown provenance, Tanzania Calabash, wood and strings. H.8 1/2 in., Jean and Noble Endicott. Calabashes and antelope horns are frequently used as containers for medicines, sacred oils, and other substances among different Tanzanian peoples. They are often closed with beautifully carved wooden stoppers, miniature heads that mimic larger sculptures and masks. As part of their healing repertoire, the Makonde use horn containers filled with medicinal substances. These functional objects become even more potent as healing devices when they are combined with feathers and carved heads that may represent ancestor spirits. Art Makonde 1989: 77-79,108-109. |
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| From the book: African Alchemy: Art for Healing in African Societies ZIGUA (Tanzania) gourd with wood stopper/dipper. Wood, red seeds, hide, leather thongs, plant fiber rings. 14" h. Collection of Marc and Ruth Franklin. |
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| From the book: African Alchemy: Art for Healing in African Societies TANZANIAN Containers with wood figural stoppers/dippers: From left to right: KWERE gourd with female figure. 8 K" h. Collection of Marc and Ruth Franklin. KAGURU round vial with head on dipper. Wood, oils, horsehair. 4"h. Collection of Janinee and Michael Heymann. MAKONDE gourd with head on dipper. Wood, leather and fibers. 8" h. Collection of Janinee and Michael Heymann. |
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| Medicinal container Kwere peoples Tanzania Mid-late 20th century Gourd, wood H x W x D: 21.1 x 9.9 x 9.9 cm (8 5/16 x 3 7/8 x 3 7/8 in.) Museum purchase 89-6-1 In the collection of the National Museum of African Art |
| Medicinal container Kwere peoples Tanzania Mid-late 20th century Gourd, wood, copper alloy, plant fiber H x W x D: 19.5 x 10 x 9.9 cm (7 11/16 x 3 15/16 x 3 7/8 in.) Gift of Marc Leo Felix 89-5-1 Women healers carry medicinal oils and herbs in gourd containers. The hairstyle carved on the figurative stoppers is typical of that worn by girls during their coming-of-age ceremonies. In the collection of the National Museum of African Art |
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| Tanzanian calabash medicine container from Tribal Gathering London that was in the exhibition: "TO CATCH THE EYE & HOLD THE SPIRIT: RITUAL AND PRESTIGE CONTAINERS FROM WORLD CULTURES" The exhibition was in the entry garden of the San Francisco Tribal and Textile Arts show in San Francisco 2006 Link to photos and information from the exhibition below |
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| The fantastic collection of calabash medicine containers from Tribal Gathering London. Bryan still has some available, contact him through his website (linked above) for more information. They also carry some very nice eastern and south African objects. |
| TO CATCH THE EYE & HOLD THE SPIRIT: RITUAL AND PRESTIGE CONTAINERS FROM WORLD CULTURES BY VANESSA DRAKE MORAGA (The exhibit that was in the entry of the 2006 San Francisco Tribal and Textile Arts Show) CLICK HERE to go to see the photos and essay from the exhibition |
| Calabash medicine container - Tanzania 6" tall Gourd, wood, beads, plant fiber, applied substance Judging from the style and scarification portrayed on the face of the stopper, I believe this is from the Makonde people. Similar heads can be seen in a few of the examples below. |
| Ngulu or Kwere calabash container, Tanzania 9.4" (24cm) Wood, gourd, fiber Acquired from Galerie Verkauf, Germany |
| A few other figures in my collection below... |
| Kwere? Zigua? Zarama? 7.5" tall (with stopper on) |
