Shona people select stones
from mineralogically diverse
areas in Zimbabwe — which
means "house of stone."
While some carvers and
artists now have access to
electric tools, most Shona
sculptors still carve using
simple hand tools. The stone
is carved into various forms
derived from the artists’ imaginations,
dreams, observations,
or family carving styles.
When a sculpture is finished
being carved and smoothed, it
is heated with fire and then
clear wax is applied to reveal
the natural colors and inclusions
in the stones.
