Standing male ancestor figure "kawe" · Westneuguinea / Westpapua (Irian Jaya), Asmat · ID: 3040442
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Provenance
Dutch Collection (1995)Description
light wood, min. traces of brown and black pigment, with both hands holding an ancestor head in front of the body, reduced curvilinear ornaments with remains of white pigment in the deepenings of the carving, slightly dam., strong abrasion of paint, water spots, 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.