Let's forget the label "souvenir" for a while. Tanzania's art & craft is for a large part about souvenirs, that's true. But there is history, culture and tradition even behind the wide choice of small and big items that you can find around markets and shops.
Makonde carving sculptures, for instance, are one of the most typical expressions of art in these areas. Some people love them, some people find them a bit weird... and still, maybe it's just a matter of knowing what these figures are about, and where do they come from.
Back in time, these ebony artifacts were typical of the Makonde tribe, who migrated from Mozambique to Southern Tanzania some centuries ago and still today are recognized as the best carvers of the country. The sculptures were the heart of their cultural heritage and traditional ceremony.
These days many things have become more "commercial", but this ancestral influence is still there and visible - if you know what to look for. One of the most popular figures that conserves a very traditional "taste" is the "Tree of Life" (or Ujamaa): it is a sort of tall cylinder designed by human figures climbing up and holding each other.
This kind of item, that is very popular in Tanzania, used to symbolize how villagers work together and support each other among generations. It is possible to find it in different size (from small to very big) and one of its peculiarity is that it is carved from a unique piece of wood. It requires a certain ability to get the result!
Next to traditional items, it is possible to find other sculptures having a more Western influence and taste: jewellery boxes, wildlife animals, nativity scene, etc. Also the material changed a bit, and next to the traditional ebony it is possible to find the light coconut tree and other types of wood as well.
The best places where to buy Makonde carving sculptures are Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Zanzibar. On the spice island there are a lot of art & craft shops, and the best ones are located in Stone Town; but it is possible to find some good deals also in the small stands along the beaches. It depends on how many time you have to explore the locations!
In Dar es Salaam there are several places where it is possible to find good quality Makonde sculptures: Mwenge Market, Village Museum and Slipway. Least but not last, the best shops in Arusha are located between the Clock Tower and Ngoliondoi Road. Pay a visit, if you pass by there!
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