The last Bwende producer of niombo (sarcophagi made of fabric) was named Makosa. He had dressed the remains of many prestigious chiefs. Because he acted as an informant for missionaries who were obsessed with ethnography, he soon realised just how much Europeans were interested in these surprising funeral ceremonies. From the start of the 20th century, he made several copies of niombo for them. His true genius, however, was in knowing how to make faithful replicas in miniature: these were easy to transport, and he asked a lot of money for them.

But Makosa also had other reasons to focus on Europeans. After he converted to Christianity in 1893, traditional authorities in Kingoyi wondered if he was still allowed to make niombo. As a result, he lost part of his local clientele.

Moreover, in a rapidly changing world, niombo funeral rituals fell into disuse. By working for Europeans, Makosa could continue to express his talent and maintain his reputation as an artist.