Mahogany African Art Sculpture Malawi Carving Furniture Zimbabwe Jewelry Paintings Batiks Baskets Masks Collectibles

Mbawa

African Mahogany

Khaya nyasica
Mozambique mahogany, mbaua, umbaua (Mozambique); mbawa (Malawi); mkangazi (Tanzania); Grand Bassam mahogany, according to origin (UK); Douala mahonie (NL); acajou d Afrique (France); khaya (USA)
Common names: Nyasaland mahogany, African mahogany
Family: Meliaceae
Distribution: Tropical West, Central, And East Africa.

African Mahogany Tree

The Tree: A large tree up to 190 ft (58m) high and 20 ft (6.1m) in girth, with an average exploitable girth of 11-12 ft (3.4-3.7m). It is heavily buttressed and has a long clear bole. The habit of all Khaya species varies considerably with the growth conditions, but the banks of rivers and streams appear to suit the requirements of the species better than drier soils.

The name African mahogany covers all species of Khaya, although their timbers vary somewhat in character, particularly in weight. The bulk of the timber shipped is produced by K. ivorensis and K. anthotheca each with moderately light-weight, pale to medium-red wood, and it is timber of this type which is accepted commercially as African mahogany; East African K. nyasica is generally similar. A small proportion of K. grandifoliola is moderately light in weight but much of its timber and that of K. senegalensis is darker and appreciably heavier than that normally accepted as African mahogany. It has been suggested that such heavy wood should be marketed separately, and the name heavy African mahogany is recommended.

Mbawa - A large to very large tree (up to 6Om tall) that occurs in evergreen and riverine fringe forest at medium to low altitudes. Its natural distribution extends from east and central Africa southwards as far as Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The trunks of large specimens are very straight and branches only develop high up on the trunk. The trunks of large trees also develop buttresses. The leaves are pinnately compound and are dark, glossy green on their upper surface. The white, sweetly scented flowers are inconspicuous.

The heartwood is distinctly pink when freshly sawn, but when seasoned varies in colour from light pinkish-brown to a deep reddish shade; the yellowish-brown sapwood is not always clearly demarcated.

The grain is usually interlocked and the texture is of a coarser nature than that of American mahogany. The quality varies wit the locality of growth; some localities are said to produce coarse-textured logs with spongy hearts while others are noted for the fine texture and character of their timber. Khaya nyasica from East Africa inclines to a reddish or golden-brown-shade.

African mahogany is an important timber for furniture and indoor decoration. It takes a high polish and a good finish. Also, an infusion of the bark is drunk to relieve colds.

A popular story is told in Malawi concerning the generic name of this tree -
The botanist who first described it is said to have asked a local villager the tree's name, and on being told "Khaya!" (meaning in Chichewa "I don't know") he named it Khaya nyasica !