World Gallery
Spoon from Madagascar
This spoon is a piece of Zafimaniry carving from the village of Ifasina in central Madagascar. The Zafimaniry are a group of about 25000 people inhabiting a highland area made up of around one hundred villages. They have a strong tradition of woodcarving using the hardwood forests which previously clothed the whole area. Their houses are entirely made of wood and constructed without nails and with detailed geometrical patterns. These reflect the Polynesian roots of the community with Arab and African influences. The furniture which they make is much sought after. Unfortunately the region is very poor. Profits from wood carving and furniture making have gone to middle men. There has been a huge exodus of young people to the cities. In 2003 UNESCO declared the area a World Heritage Site, in an attempt to preserve what remained of the local tradition and forests. The area now attracts some tourists and the villagers sell carvings such as this spoon, in order to buy what they cannot grow and to pay for educaton for their children. But the area is remote: the only means of access is on foot and there is still obvious poverty, especially amongst the children.
