Artistic Expressions: 17 Imaginative Wood Sculptures From Kenya

SculptureNational Museums of Kenya

Kenya is known for it's imaginative wood carvings. Made by skilled craftsmen, the sculptures represent artistic visions, symbols and stories. Here are a few highlights from Nairobi National Museum.

#1: The strength of women
This wooden sculpture depicts a woman carrying a child and holding a man's hand, presumingly the father. The sculpture is represents the strength of a woman in her home.

Wooden carvingNational Museums of Kenya

#2: A human with an antelope head
This wooden sculpture depicts a human with an antelope head bending forward.

Male AcrobatNational Museums of Kenya

#3: Dancing with fire
Wooden sculpture of a male acrobat dancing with a flame of fire on his head.

Snake and Human beingNational Museums of Kenya

#4: Snake bite
This wooden sculpture depicts a snake biting a man's hand.

Eve and serpentNational Museums of Kenya

#5: Eve and Serpent
Wooden sculpture depicting Eve and serpent. The serpent is eating from the forbidden fruit.

Eve and serpentNational Museums of Kenya

#6: Eve and Serpent
Another wooden sculpture depicting Eve and the serpent who cheated her to eat the forbidden fruit.

Wooden carvingNational Museums of Kenya

#7: Human with an animal head
Wooden sculpture depicting a human with an animal head who is playing a drum.

Nuclear familyNational Museums of Kenya

#8: Nuclear family
Wooden sculpture depicting a nuclear family. The parents are standing at the base and the children are sleeping. Also depicted are domestic animals, lizards, and a snake coiling around a tree.

StoolNational Museums of Kenya

#9: Village life
Wooden sculpture depicting village life activities – including pounding with a motor, carrying firewood, a person eating porridge, a baby sleeping, grandparents walking with walking sticks, and an old man smoking tobacco.

Wooden carvingNational Museums of Kenya

#10: Man and animal
Wooden sculpture depicting an animal strangling a man.

Male CarvingNational Museums of Kenya

#11: Exercising
Wooden sculpture depicting a man balancing his head on the ground, and holding his leg up with one hand.

Wooden carvingNational Museums of Kenya

#12: Eating under a tree
Wooden sculpture depicting a man eating under a tree.

Old man carvingNational Museums of Kenya

#13: An old man
This is a wood carving of an old man holding a gourd. The old man is wearing a cap with designs similar to Muslim designs.

Woman Workload CarvingNational Museums of Kenya

#14: Mother carrying water and a baby
Wooden sculpture depicting a woman carrying a baby, while trying to put a pot of water on her head.

Carvings of a womanNational Museums of Kenya

#15: A caring mother and her children
Wooden sculpture depicting a mother carrying a baby on her back and trying to console a child.

Woman carvingNational Museums of Kenya

#16: Carrying firewood
Wooden sculpture depicting a woman carrying firewood.

A Male singerNational Museums of Kenya

#17: Female singer
Wooden sculpture depicting a female singer holding a musical instrument.

Credits: Story

Learn more about the National Museums of Kenya by visiting our website.

Credits: All media
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