Tonga Stool 39 with the larger stool and

with the larger stool and more difficult stools to transport harder to come by

but they are now designed as ritual objects to symbolise status and wealth

Each bowl would have been used to prepare and serve food or used for storage for many years

Songye masks originate from the Congo and are hand-carved from indigenous wood

funerals and ceremonies in neighbouring villages

Tonga Stool 39 with the larger stool andOur collection of Tonga stools originate from the Tonga people of Zimbabwe. The stools have been hand carved by the community using indigenous wood. The maker creates unique designs each time, so no two stools are identical. As the Tonga stool is used as a portable seat which is carried to neighbouring communities for ceremonies and gatherings they often vary in size, with the larger stool and more difficult stools to transport harder to come by.