Tomb stela "aloalo" · Madagascar, Mahafaly · ID: 3038052
Anton Eckert, Munich, Germany (acquired 1970)
Description
wood, stained blackish brown patina, standing male figure, supporting a board-shaped superstructure in openwork design, crowned by an ox, old collection label “P.28/1967 - 5 - Dr. Gernböck” - 146.942 Madagaskar", the latter collection number two more times handwritten on the object, slightly dam., minor missing parts (chin, nose, rim zone), abrasion of paint, rep. (breakages: left forearm, both horntips), small traces of insect caused damage;
the Mahafaly are mainly herdsmen of puckered zebu cattle which form their natural basis of life and are the main motif of their figurative art as well. Especially they are characteristic part of the “aloalo” funeral posts, which were placed on the “valavato”, the funeral area of distinguished clans. The restless souls of the diceased inhabited the “aloalos”. They could be calmed down and honoured by sacrifices.
Comparing literature
Phillips, Tom (Hg.), Afrika, Die Kunst eines Kontinents, Berlin 1996, p. 148