241211 - Very rare & old African Leather Konso shield with stand - Ethiopia.

Very rare & old African Leather Konso shield - Ethiopia.
Made of Cowhide with a professional stand.
Height with stand 110 cm, only the shield 98 cm and 30 cm wide.
Konso men from South Ethiopia or northern Kenya carried elongated leaf-shaped cowhide shields. The shields were embossed with intricate symmetrical patterns of stippled dots and lines. A thick fold along the midrib enhanced the shield's strength.
The swirling, curvilinear punchwork decoration on this big shield is particularly elaborate. Its patina bears witness to its considerable age and extensive use.
Mounted on a custom display metal stand.
This sculpture is from the begin of the 20th century and purchased in my private collection in 2001, with a certificate of authenticity.
The Konso from south-central Ethiopia share much in common with the Oromo and other regional groups. Known predominantly for their impressive terrace farming, not much is to be said of their warfare. What is known is that the only shield characteristically attributed to them takes the form of a leaf. The hide shields are made in much the same molded method as other south-Ethiopian examples. They are placed on a mold as they are dried, creating complex shapes. Generally, these shields are made from a single piece of leather. As opposed to the darkening we often see in the leather shields of this area, Konso shields were instead bleached giving them their lighter color. We can also see the vague remnants of paint. These shields were used for wars and ceremonies.
There are almost 200,000 Konso confined to a homeland of considerably less than 1000 square kilometers. The Konso have no memory of where their ancestors originated. They assume they have always lived in the tiny hilly territory in the far southwest of Ethiopia. Their African ancestors, however, probably arrived there around 5,000 years ago, bringing with them the prevalent stone age culture and agricultural techniques that are still evident today.

From these beginnings their remarkable culture developed in virtual isolation. Surrounded by their neighbors, they continue to till their fields. With the exception of trading with the Borena for salt or cowrie shells, outside influence has virtually passed them by. They have always fiercely defended their territory. This is evident in the fact that each village is walled. Much of their land is terraced and planted with trees, and the fertile fields are tended, irrigated and fertilized.

There is a passionate love for work in the blood of these people. Children marry around the age of fifteen. Though the Konso are not a proud people they do not look favorably on intermarriage. Non-Christians can have three or four wives. They do not live together with extended families, and inheritance is passed down to men only.