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CharlesCarvings.com
Authentic
African wood carvings created by artist Charles Bies of
Arusha, Tanzania
A Short Biography
in his own words
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My name is Charles Bies Hangulinde. I was born in 1970
in Dar es Salaam. I am the fifth born of the family of
five children, the
same to say as I am the last born of the five children
family. When I was 6 years of age I started primary
education at Kichangani primary school in Dar es Salaam.
While I was continue with my primary education my grandfather come from Southern part of
 Tanzania
(Mtwara) to take me purposely to teach carving work as
well as traditions and customs of my tribe of
Makonde because he thought that Dar es Salaam was the
big town; therefore he saw that it was wise to take me
to Mtwara where I could learn well our art of carving
together with traditions and customs. Most of the
importance tradition in our tribe is circumcision for
boys. After staying with him for almost a year the the
first thing I started to learn was tree of life (Ujamaa)
carving. In this carving one carving shows a lot of
people performing their jobs in village. It did not
take me long because I liked this work. When I had an
age of ten years I was able to make my Ujamaa (tree
of life) in a site of my grandfather who was the village
dweller. He promised me to inherit his art of Makonde
carving work. After that I continue learning other type
of carvings such as Masai carvings. Masai is the
important tribe found in Tanzania. Up to this moment
this tribe preserves its tradition and customs contrary
to other tribes in Tanzania.
Other type of carving I learned was various type of
animals found in Tanzania parks. Not only that but also
other type I learnt was imagination. In this case I only
think of various images that are not real seen by necked
eye for example devils, angles etc. I also learn to carve from dreams that I dream while I
feel as sleep. I transform my dream into a carving.
Since my grandfather was so creative in carving work, he
also taught me to carve various images according to
environment concern to educate the society due to
current issue.
For example I carve a woman who engaged in
prostitutions while she was young. This type of carving
shows the effects of
prostitution in the society such as children of no
fathers, spread of diseases (std) as well as
HIV/AIDS. Also
prostitution contributes much about street children due
to lack of parents care; since the children normally
lack fathers. I also learn to carve the drunkard men who
do not respond well to his family. The effect of too
much drink led to heavy burden to women to take care of
the family. In my
grand fathers workshop I learnt a lot practically.
Reaching this stage my grandfather appreciated me and
told me that I was able to inherit his work. He said he
was happy to die while his work could exist in the
world. When I was 17 years my grandfather got very sick.
He left the task of taking care of my grandmother when
he dead. I took the task as I assigned by selling my
carvings. I was able to save for her needs. My grandmother dead in 1990; I was left alone so I decided to
move to Arusha from Dar es Salaam since Arusha is a good
tourism area where I could sell better my carving work.
Now I operate my carving work in Arusha.
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Back to home
page....
Method of carving...
The artist's
dream...
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Charles
Bies Hangulinde has a dream... in it he has created a
school for the young people of his country who wish to
learn the art of wood carving. And perhaps by
selling their own works of art they will transform
the quality of their lives. The wording within
this site is presented in Mr. Bies' unique style as he
describes his life and art . |
A display of his art...
Purchase a
carving....
Contact Charles Bies...
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