|
The Mwana Hiti is an iconic figure of a number of peoples in Tanzania. Mwana Hiti are also called trunk figures, and depict in a highly stylized way the torso of a female figure.
They are used as surrogate child/husband figures by girls during their ritual seclusion before initiation. It is considered to be both male and female. They are given names of real or mythical ancestors, and are kept in special places in the hut, either on a special stool or in a little house.
The name has many meanings, including daughter of the throne, child of the initiation stool...so it is common to have this image on a throne.
On the contrary, by looking at these expressions of the idealized beauty, they are supposed to favorized the beauty of their newborn
If you have more information concerning this object, its symbolism, its ritual use, its ethnic group, do not hesitate to leave us a comment by clicking the lower button..
|
If you are in hiding, don't light a fire. 
