Art

Item Description

Artist Godrey Chimhanzi, Brown Serpentine 21" H x 20" W

Title: MAKING CHIBUKA

Artist:  Godfrey Chimhanzi

Approximate Weight:   61 lbs

Often a family gathers in order to make an offering to the mudzimu or a n’anga may desire to thank its spirits for the help give during the past year or so.  The basic requirements for such a ceremony is the preparation of the beer (chibuka).  Beer prepared form millet (zviyo) is drunk by all the participants in the ceremony.  When the prayers are made, the beer is offered to the spirit by the eldest make, half kneeling and clapping his hands and saying “this is your beer,” after which the rest in handed round to be drunk.  The beer has the further purpose of raising spirits of those present.  It helps to bring a feeling of joy to the gathering and to establish a feeling of unity among those who attend the ceremony

Godfrey Chimhanzi was born in the Wedza area, near Marondela, Zimbabwe in 1966. One of 3 children, he spent much of his youth outdoors, tending the cattle & soaking in the rural soul of Africa. Among his first memories is one of watching local craftsman carving handles for knives & farm implements for the local market.
At primary school, Godfrey started whittling and carving with wood. His teachers and friends recognised his talent and encouraged him to continue. As he grew older, Godfrey dreamed of becoming an engineer. His dreams were frustrated though by a lack of university facilities, a very limited number of engineering student places available, lack of funds and the ever increasing problem of not being connected to the people in positions of power.

The bush war also took its toll. With dwindling family finances and increasing violence, the family was forced to move away from the rural areas to a safer environment in town. Godfrey lost 2 years of schooling. He started carving for the tourist trade, initially using basic tools such as a knife and an adze.

Godfrey has a passion for quality and detail. He would spend extra time carving detail as yet unseen in the normal Tourist Type carvings. Placed amongst the more run of the mill type works of other artists, Godfreys work was always in high demand. He also began sculpting in Soapstone.