A sign of the times?A prominent Boston gallery has removed most indications that it's selling a collection of Vigango (Mijikenda memorial posts). The nine (out of an original twelve) posts were being sold for between $1000 and $4500 each. It will be interesting to see when the gallery judges the coast is clear once more to advertise them.
Meanwhile, it's down to Mijikenda communities themselves to decide whether they want to allow these objects to be sold out of their traditional context for a few hundred shillings, or maintained in situ for the benefit of the community. It might be a good idea to start carving and "aging" some replicas for sale as decorative items in Europe and the US. There's obviously a demand.
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