Wood in African material culture

9 Tree shape

Sometimes the natural shape of a tree or branch plays a direct role in whatever is made out of it: a gnarled branch becomes a snake; the trunk becomes a slit-drum; the tree’s buttress roots or ramifications become seats.

Seated man.
Kolenkema, Bandundu – BOOLI, 1946
EP.0.0.14566
Photograph by A. Da Cruz (Inforcongo) © RMCA

Backrest
Gift of Armand Hutereau in 1913
Danga village, Uele, DRC - Medje
EO.0.0.10.912
Bridelia sp.
© RMCA