African Nativities

We have collected nativities for the last few years. Last year in the Congo we looked for one and were most disappointed not to find a single one. But this year we made up for our failure in a big way. We now have four nativities.

This one is Burundian. The pieces are very nicely carved and also very large. They're about 10-14 inches tall. On the right is the shepherd in the big wooden nativity contrasted with the tiny banana leaf shepherd.

This nativity is tiny. It's Congolese and made from banana leaves and came in a box that was also woven from banana leaves. These figures are only about 1-2 inches tall, but are very intricately made. It was made by a member who we met in Kenya and is done after the style of Congolese figures.

This is the mother and child. We got it in Burundi and have seen this several places here. It must be a traditional Burundian style of nativity.

This is a Masai nativity. It was made by the same artist who made the banana leaf nativity and is very primitive. It's made of ebony. It has Masai figures from Kenya and is very interesting. The wise men are in traditional medicine man dress with feathered head pieces, the shepherds are dressed like the herdsman who still today tend the precious Masai cattle using clubs to ward off lions and other predators. You will notice that all the people have elongated ear lobes, which is typical of the Masai tribe. Both Mary and Joseph have shaved heads, which is done among the Masai when a couple has a child. It represents the lifting of a burden of childlessness from their heads. The traditional African animals replace the usual nativity animals.

Each nativity has a story about its creation or acquisition. We will love seeing them every year to remind us of our time in Africa and our special calling to proclaim the birth, life and atonement of our Savior.