A Host of Devils: The History and Context of the Making of Makonde Spirit Sculpture (Studies in Visual Culture, V. 2)

A Host of Devils provides an in-depth account of the background, origin and development of the spirit figure sculptures which emerged during colonial times among the Makonde people of Mozambique. The creation of such works is shown to connect with a regional system of knowledge and practice, within which spirits function as a format for expression. The book describes the ways in which the sculpture emerged, as well as the author's experience of learning how to carve. Annotation A Host of Devilsprovides an in-depth account of the background, origin and development of the spirit figure sculptures which emerged during colonial times among the Makonde people of Mozambique. The creation of such works is shown to connect with a regional system of knowledge and practice, within which spirits function as a format for expression. The book describes the ways in which the sculpture emerged, as well as the author's experience of learning how to carve Zachary Kingdon here provides an in-depth account of the background, origin and development of the spirit figure sculptures which emerged during colonial times among the Makonde people of Mozambique. The Makonde of the Mueda plateau in northern Mozambique, whom this book concerns, were among the last African groups to have been "pacified" and colonised by European powers. Zachary Kingdon. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [236]-243) And Index.