OUR COLLECTION — AFRICA — DR CONGO 40. BANANA FIBER NATIVITY WITH STABLE
This Nativity scene is handcrafted by Congolese craftsmen in Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire). The figures and stable are made from wire frames wrapped ingeniously with banana leaf fibers. Fibers dried in full sun are black whilst those in the shade are light hue; all other tones are a combination of sun and shade.
The scene contains 10 figures: Joseph, Mary, the baby Jesus, two shepherds, two sheep, and three wise men kneeling with their gifts. The standing figures are 5 inches tall. The stable has a wooden base and banana leaf walls. The stable is 7 inches wide by 7.5 inches tall, not including the star on top.
A Baobab tree, also made from banana leaves, completes the scene. This tree is very appropriate to include with a Nativity scene because this tree has been known to live up to 3000 years (so there are Baobab trees alive today that were alive when Jesus lived). The Baobab tree is also known as the Spirit of Life Tree in Africa. In this Nativity set, the tree has three giraffes walking around it.
The scene contains 10 figures: Joseph, Mary, the baby Jesus, two shepherds, two sheep, and three wise men kneeling with their gifts. The standing figures are 5 inches tall. The stable has a wooden base and banana leaf walls. The stable is 7 inches wide by 7.5 inches tall, not including the star on top.
A Baobab tree, also made from banana leaves, completes the scene. This tree is very appropriate to include with a Nativity scene because this tree has been known to live up to 3000 years (so there are Baobab trees alive today that were alive when Jesus lived). The Baobab tree is also known as the Spirit of Life Tree in Africa. In this Nativity set, the tree has three giraffes walking around it.