Standing grave post figure ·  Madagascar, Sakalava · ID: 3033072

Description

wood, greyish brown patina, red pigment remains, slightly bent legs, holding a small figure in front of the belly, a face with features that are strongly weather beaten, multi-lobed coiffure, dam., missing parts, traces of weathering, on base;
part of an “aloala” funeral post, which usually have a height of two, up to four meters, and which used to be placed on the “valavato”, the funeral area of distinguished clans. The restless souls of the diceased inhabited the “aloalas”. They could be calmed down and honoured by sacrifices.

Comparing literature

Kerchache, Jacques, Paudrat, Jean-Louis u.a., Die Kunst des Schwarzen Afrika, Freiburg, Basel, Wien 1988, p. 607