Dance shield (Kikuyu), early 20thcentury.
Kenya.
Wood, 60 x 42 x 8 cm each.
Lucien van de Velde, Antwerp.
Initiation is an important push into artistic activity among the
Kikuyu. Initiation for boys occurs before they enter the
associated social status of warrior. Various shields constructed of
wood or bark were used for such an occasion. Of those shown
here, they were usually carved by a special craftsman from the
whole of a piece of light wood and used for a dance display
referred to as muumburo. The armhole in the inner face of the
shield allows for manipulation through the flexing of the arm,
rather than needing to be handheld.
The designs on the outer and inner surfaces were non-
figurative and generally had no special meaning. Prior to an
initiation, most of which were likely annual, the pattern had to
be agreed upon. Therefore, depending on the territorial unit and
initiation period, patterns varied. They could also be found on
the back of wooden shields in a form quite reminicent of an eye
and eyelid.