Mwadza Maleka – Nativity

KAP.B(i).01.01.01.029_01

Malawi - Dedza Diocese - Mua Parish - Parish Church

 

We will enter the church tomorrow… However, as today is the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, we will celebrate by introducing the first of many Kungoni Nativities.

This is an early attempt, which was made for the parish by Mwadza Maleka and was subsequently painted by Claude Boucher and Patricio Tambala Mponyani. It will be observed again how the Gospel narrative has received local expression. For example, the 'kings' have become chiefs of the three peoples that meet in the Mua area: Ngoni (in nyoni, 'headdress', and with gift of medicine), Yao (in mzuli, 'skullcap', and with gift of ivory) and Chewa (with gift of a royal stool wrought of iron).

Thomas Mpira has made in recent years spectacular Nativities which incorporate similar imagery. They involve thirty and more figures in as many timbers as are available to the carvers of Kungoni Centre!

 

KAP.B(i).01.01.01.029

Artist: Mwadza Maleka, with Claude Boucher & Patricio Tambala Mponyani

Title: Nativity

Date: 1987

Themes: Christ - Child, Church Furniture, Epiphany, Gospel, Nativity, St. Francis of Assisi

Source: Kungoni Archive. Non vidi

KAP.B(i).01.01.01.029_02
KAP.B(i).01.01.01.029_04
KAP.B(i).01.01.01.029_03