Staff figure "tauwa"

Description

wood, greyish brown patina, headdress with projecting horns, drilled ear holes for attachment of ornament, originally rising from iron spike (for plugging into the ground), slightly dam., missing parts (left forearm), abrasion of paint, rep. (left horn), base;
staff figures “tau-wandoa” (male) and “tau-kendoa” (female) are protective figures, mainly used against snake poison but also used during harvest ceremonies. They were kept in small houses called “wula tauwa”, where they were stuck into the bottom of the ground.