Standing male ancestor figure "kawe" ·  Westneuguinea / Westpapua (Irian Jaya), Asmat · ID: 3038257

Description

light wood, white and red pigment, black paint, high towering figure with overlong limbs, incised scarification marks, pierced septum, slightly dam., abrasion of paint, rep. (both ankles, right hand), plate;
such figures are carved for the building of a new Men’s House and are left to decay after the inauguration ceremonies. They represent the first humans, or “asmat”. In the Creation myth, a great cultural heroe “fumeripit” carved many large human figures. As he began to play his drum, the figures came to life as the original people and formed the first clans.

Comparing literature

Meyer, Anthony J.P., Ozeanische Kunst, Vol. I, Köln 1995, p. 82, ill. 62