Staff (Simbo)

ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-staffs, scepters, & wands

Culture Makonde

Dateearly to mid 20th Century

Made AtMozambique, Africa

Made AtTanzania, Africa

MediumWood

Dimensions30 1/8 × 2 1/4 × 2 1/8 in. (76.5 × 5.7 × 5.4 cm)

Credit LineGift of Anne and Long Shung Shih

Object number2018.13.12

DescriptionThis is a carved, wooden staff made by the Makonde culture of northern Mozambique and southeast Tanzania. Known worldwide for their stunning wood carvings, among the Makonde staffs are indicators of prestige and an individual’s status. This object could have either been an accessory for dance festivals or it may have been used by a diviner. In Makonde, decorative stick or staff is called simbo and the plural form is disimbo.

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