OUR COLLECTION — AFRICA — MADAGASCAR 283. BAOBAB TREE NATIVITY
This Nativity scene from the island of Madagascar contains the Holy Family placed in the trunk of a baobab tree. The Holy Family pieces are carved from a precious white wood called Fanazava. The baobab tree is carved from palisander wood, which is from the rosewood family. Palisander is very hard and contains a natural oil as found in rosewood. The piece measures 5.5 inches high.
A baobab is a great tree 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.
The Malagasy people carve in a detailed European style (rather than traditional African styles) because these wood carvers learned their carving style from French Jesuit priests. This set was purchased from a native carver selling in an open market in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar.
A baobab is a great tree 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.
The Malagasy people carve in a detailed European style (rather than traditional African styles) because these wood carvers learned their carving style from French Jesuit priests. This set was purchased from a native carver selling in an open market in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar.