Ruwenzori Sculpture

The Tepeth are a subgroup of the Karamajong Tribe of Eastern Uganda, they live on and around Mount Moroto and unlike many of  the Karamajong are sedentary on their mountain, this has enabled them to create a sculpture tradition that is unique in Uganda. Carving in soft soapstone they carve portraits of celebrated individuals, generic renditions of the warriors of neighbouring tribes, portraits of their name-bulls and sculptures of clan animals or other animals they see regularly while tending their herds. This Indigenous tradition is on the verge of extinction, as photography replaces carving and the erosion of ancient values in the wake of modernisation continues apace.

The Ruwenzori sculpture foundation is sponsoring three carvers to try and rescue what is effectively Uganda's only indigenous sculpture.
A series of workshops and the purchase of tools and equipment to help the carvers continue to make the work as well as providing a market for selling the sculptures are all part of the project. Karamoja is one of the poorest parts of Uganda and the interest generated by this Unique sculptural tradition has the possibility to transform not just the lives of the individuals who do the carving but also their families and communities and help to disseminate a positive view of the traditions of the Karamajong people. tactile and portable the Tepeth soapstone carvings rank alongside other great East African sculpture like the Makonde in Tanzania or Kisii in Kenya.