‘Mwana hiti’ translates as ‘a child made of wood’. These highly stylised female figures are a characteristic feature, a sort of ‘index fossil’, for the culture and art of some matrilineal tribes from the central and northern coastal regions of Tanzania (among the Zaramo, Kwere, Doe, Zigua, Luguru people etc.). Foremost these small figures are important for a girl’s rite of passage. With these figures, girls learn the role-play of adult women (just as we do with dolls).
Furthermore the ‘Mwana hiti figure’ is a common and frequently used symbol for the great importance of the woman in these intensely matriarchal, matrilineal societies. ‘Mwana hiti figures’ stand, sit or kneel on honorary high-backed chairs, on ceremonial staffs, on liturgical and sepulchral pillars, on musical instruments, vessels, spoons, hairpins etc.
The three ‘Mwana hiti’ sculptures in this mixed lot show the ambiguous female figure in its simplest, ‘classical’ form. They always sport a typical, double crested coiffure on their small heads, have short necks on cylindrical, round bodies, implied breasts and navels and sit on a round plinth. The three present ‘Mwana hiti’ are perfect and old, each showing a good, shiny usage patina and absolutely no damage. The larger ‘Mwana hiti’ has a white inscription on the underside of its black plinth (‘Geschenk von Hannes Harrs Weihnacht 2000’ [Gift from Hannes Harrs Christmas 2000]) and the smaller of the three figures has an inventory number on the left underside of its plinth.
Height: 13 cm, 14 cm, 16 cm.
First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
South African private collection.

Lit.:
‘Tanzania’ by Marc L. Felix & Maria Kecskési, ill. p. 67, 94, 96, 99, 111, 112 et passim; ‘Shangaa. Art of Tanzania’ by Gary van Wyk, ill. p. 134, 137, 141 etc.