Vanyankwavi Sangoma Child Figures are rare handcrafted sculptures from southern Africa. They are made of textiles, beads, thread, and embellishments, designed for ritual use rather than play.

As described in Dungamanzi: Stirring Waters, Nyankwavi figures are made for a young girl who is chosen to serve her father, a sangoma. She cannot marry while performing this role. She is entrusted with all tasks related to her father’s spiritual work. If she wishes to marry, another daughter takes her place.

These figures serve as teaching tools, spiritual mediators, and symbols of ancestral continuity. They link the girl to the sangoma’s healing practice and the family’s sacred lineage. Only the appointed daughter handles the figure, reflecting her exclusive spiritual duties.

Each Vanyankwavi Sangoma Child Figure in Natalie Knight’s collection represents a living cultural tradition, offering collectors an authentic connection to South African heritage, ritual practice, and ancestral knowledge.

are rare handcrafted sculptures from southern Africa. They are made of textiles, beads, thread, and embellishments, designed for ritual use rather than play.