Shetani

Shetani have totally surreal forms, a mixture of zoomorph and anthropomorphic forms that create deformed, cyclopean, abstract figures. Its creator, Samaki, had many followers, including the famous sculptor Lilanga. Shetani comes from the Arabic “Shaitan” meaning devil, which comes in turn from the same Semitic root as Satan. They are pre-Islamic evil spirits that terrorize people, to such an extent that in many Tanzanian houses, mostly Muslim, they hang pieces of paper with verses of the Koran on walls or doors to protect themselves. This new art was based on traditional animistic beliefs and involved representing geniuses and spirits of nature, representing mainly beings related to Makondé mythology. Some pieces are considered as allegorical figures of social situations. Most of these works are carved from ebony wood. Many artists have proliferated given the demand for European tourism. Within the different sections of the collection, and given the difficulty of giving it a proper classification, we found it more appropriate to include this piece in the section of "fetishes".