HOW IT BEGAN
MKamba carver of ceremonial sticks Mutisya Munge (c1892-c1936) was a soldier during WW I in the British colonial army near Dar-es-Salaam. There he observed Zaramo wood carvers who were making figurines and objects for sale to the local Europeans. On his return to Wamunyu in Ukambani, Munge continued to carve and invented new designs, some of which he signed! He shared his knowledge with his family and some friends who took up commercial carving.
Following WW II, the AKamba carving movement grew rapidly which led to standardization in production to meet the demands of the souvenir trade. After Uhuru, further development of the Akamba woodcarving industry led to the formation of co-operatives and so in 1963, the Wamunyu Handcraft Cooperative Society was established.
THE WAMUNYU WAY
On entering the sheds, hear the sounds of click, click, click as the adzes carve and the buzz of conversations between mavundi plus smell the fresh cut wood. Master carvers and apprentices are sitting on wood stumps carving objects. Some are holding the woodblocks with their feet while carving with small adzes and files.
Nowadays, a manager and committee of seven master carvers run the co-operative which has a membership of over 2000 which is approximately 70% of the population. While carving is strictly a man’s vocation, women have a specific role in the production of woodcarvings. After the fundi carves his work, the piece is sent to women who polish, paint, and varnish each piece. An artist receives 80% of the profits from each of his own items. The remaining 20% is allocated to pay for overhead and management of the cooperative.
The Wamunyu Co-operative participates in the Good Wood campaign.