OUR COLLECTION — AFRICA — DR CONGO 145. BOXED BANANA FIBER NATIVITY
This set is made by a Congolese refugee currently living in Nairobi, Kenya. The artisan’s name is Josephat Emanuel Malube. His home had been Bukavu / Kivu in eastern Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo).
This Nativity features figures made from bent wire and wooden frames, which are then wrapped with fibers from the banana plant. Banana fiber is a versatile, colorful, and strong material that would otherwise be thrown away. Fibers from the raffia palm are also used. A surprising level of detail is attained by the clever use of varying shades and textures of the fibers. Some of the figures are selectively varnished.
This set contains 11 figures: a kneeling Mary and Joseph with staff, baby Jesus in a miniature crib, the three wise men—one of whom is swinging an incense burner, two musicians—one playing the horn and one a lyre, and a shepherd holding a lamb, plus two sheep at his feet. The set comes with a deep red cotton display mat, and all the pieces and the mat fit neatly into a sturdy banana-fiber presentation box. The standing figures are approximately 4 inches tall. The box is 4 x 4.5 x 5 inches. The mat is 10 x 11.5 inches.
Christmas in the Democratic Rep. of Congo is celebrated mostly as a religious endeavor with little commercial focus on it. Nativities can then be on display in churches and temples where Christians come and bow to say a short prayer to God. Only a few affluent Congolese can afford to put Nativities in their homes, and usually decorate them with banana trees and palm tree branches. A Christmas tree is a rare item in a Congo home.
This Nativity features figures made from bent wire and wooden frames, which are then wrapped with fibers from the banana plant. Banana fiber is a versatile, colorful, and strong material that would otherwise be thrown away. Fibers from the raffia palm are also used. A surprising level of detail is attained by the clever use of varying shades and textures of the fibers. Some of the figures are selectively varnished.
This set contains 11 figures: a kneeling Mary and Joseph with staff, baby Jesus in a miniature crib, the three wise men—one of whom is swinging an incense burner, two musicians—one playing the horn and one a lyre, and a shepherd holding a lamb, plus two sheep at his feet. The set comes with a deep red cotton display mat, and all the pieces and the mat fit neatly into a sturdy banana-fiber presentation box. The standing figures are approximately 4 inches tall. The box is 4 x 4.5 x 5 inches. The mat is 10 x 11.5 inches.
Christmas in the Democratic Rep. of Congo is celebrated mostly as a religious endeavor with little commercial focus on it. Nativities can then be on display in churches and temples where Christians come and bow to say a short prayer to God. Only a few affluent Congolese can afford to put Nativities in their homes, and usually decorate them with banana trees and palm tree branches. A Christmas tree is a rare item in a Congo home.