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Nigerian Wood Mask, "Harvest Joy"
A serious expression belies the joy of an abundant harvest. Carved and painted by hand, this handsome mask comes from Abdul Aziz Mohamadu. "It is used by the Chamba people of Nigeria during the Chambalare festival, which celebrates the end of the hunger suffered in the olden days," he says. "Farmers wear the mask to remember the days of severe hunger. Although the festival is joyous and filled with merrymaking, the sight of this mask reminds people to keep their crops well and waste nothing." He names this piece Daimuwa, a Hausa word meaning "Worried."
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Abdul has four children of his own and and cares for an additional four. All eight children live with him and he treats them all as his own.
Abdul has a dream of establishing an art academy for carving and sharing the African culture that is so closely tied to wood carving. So far, he has trained over 30 people but hopes that number can grow to be in the hundreds with an academy.
Since he started working with NOVICA, he has been able to grow his business. Through NOVICA and his determination, every day he gets a little closer to his goal of empowering and training others in carving.
Abdul Aziz Mohamadu has received 10 microcredit loans with 0% interest from Kiva and Novica, the first for $500 and the most recent for $5000. Proceeds were used to pay for improvements to his workshop.
Abdul financially supports the education of his own four children and the four other children that live with him.
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Abdul Aziz Mohamadu Hand-carved African masks
"In 2000, I went into carving and since then I have never regretted it. But I haven't abandoned painting completely either."
8 Testimonials for Abdul Aziz Mohamadu
