OUR COLLECTION — AFRICA — KENYA 146. SATINWOOD NATIVITY
This Nativity set is hand-carved by two brothers, Alfred and Charles Munyao. They are from the agricultural Kamba tribe in rural southeast Kenya (out in the bush country, 75 miles from Nairobi). The Kamba are the 4th largest tribe in Kenya and are famous for their skill at woodcarving. In the rural part of Kenya, traditional arts and crafts have sadly been all but lost in the crazy race to modernize society, and there are very few craftsmen left. Thus, this Nativity set is an important cultural work of art.
The set comprises the following 14 pieces: a kneeling Mary and Joseph, baby Jesus in the manger, the three kings, an angel, two shepherds (one holding a lamb), a camel, a cow, a donkey and a sheep. The Star of Bethlehem shines above them all, held aloft by an artistically curved pedestal. The carving work is unique and meticulous.
The wood used is hard African satinwood, warm orange in color with an attractive grain. The wood’s color and grain have been accentuated by a light one-off treatment with linseed oil. The kneeling figures are each 4.5 inches tall, the standing figures 6 inches tall, the star’s pedestal 8 inches tall.
The mat is made by a disabled Kikuyu tailor out of locally grown brown hessian (burlap) and maroon cotton border. The mat measures 20 x 15 inches. The set comes with the banana fiber box, measuring 10 x 8.25 x 3.5 inches. The box is crafted by a member of the Kikuyu people. Banana fiber is a sturdy waste product from the banana fields of central Kenya.
The set comprises the following 14 pieces: a kneeling Mary and Joseph, baby Jesus in the manger, the three kings, an angel, two shepherds (one holding a lamb), a camel, a cow, a donkey and a sheep. The Star of Bethlehem shines above them all, held aloft by an artistically curved pedestal. The carving work is unique and meticulous.
The wood used is hard African satinwood, warm orange in color with an attractive grain. The wood’s color and grain have been accentuated by a light one-off treatment with linseed oil. The kneeling figures are each 4.5 inches tall, the standing figures 6 inches tall, the star’s pedestal 8 inches tall.
The mat is made by a disabled Kikuyu tailor out of locally grown brown hessian (burlap) and maroon cotton border. The mat measures 20 x 15 inches. The set comes with the banana fiber box, measuring 10 x 8.25 x 3.5 inches. The box is crafted by a member of the Kikuyu people. Banana fiber is a sturdy waste product from the banana fields of central Kenya.