This item is part of the Johnston/Young Collection. The 500,000 Nyamezi or Nyamwezi, people inhabit the land south of Lake Victoria. Nyamezi whose name means "Men of the Moon", are the largest ethnic group in the country of Tanzania. Though they are large in number, socially they are organized into villages which correspond to small chiefdoms. Each chief is responsible for the material wealth of his people while the village sorcerer governs their spiritual welfare. Protection of each family comes from the cult of ancestors, which plays an important role in the life of the Nyamezi people. Like tribes from many other countries in Africa, the Nyamezi create small statues in tribute and out of homage to respected and beloved ancestors. This is done in hopes that the deceased will look favorable upon them and grant a favor. This favor or blessing can come in the form of fertility, protection or healing on a tribal or individual basis. The spiritual empowerment that allows the statue to act as a vessel for the spiritual entity is done by the village sorcerer. The specific items used such as earth, feathers, minerals, feathers, bones, shell and various other natural selections will vary from tribe to tribe. The Nyamezi are known for wrapping or binding their fetishes with strips of cloth giving the object a mummy like appearance. The Johnston/Young fetish is properly wrapped. The bulging belly, supernatural nose being long and sharp, the eyes small, expressionless and staring over a straight tiny closed mouth and large ears are all indicators of classic Nyamezi styling. This selection is 75 years old and comes complete with the iron stand. Please click photo for enlargement! See other photos below. For pricing information please contact us at 646 271 9995 When OFFLINE click button to leave a message! Dimensions: 10 inches tall x 2 1/2 inches deep x 2 1/2 inches wide. Wt: 8 lbs shipping. Item J/Y 10 SidePlease click photo for enlargement! FrontPlease click photo for enlargement! BackPleae click photo for enlargement! The WarehousePlease click here for new arrivals. The Curators GalleryPlease click here for exclusive high grade selections.