Mpingo, also called African blackwood, is the lustrous black wood prized by woodwind players for its tonal qualities. Mpingo is the Kiswahili word for the blackwood tree, which grows throughout Mozambique's miombo woodlands and coastal forests.

Artisans in the northern Nampula Province turn sustainably sourced mpingo wood on a lathe to create stunning home decor accessories for export. These lovely candlesticks, which resemble old-fashioned concertinas, serve beautifully alone, grouped in varied sizes or set out in pairs.