Abelam - New Guinea - Beautiful figure of ancestor

Representation of the hornbill on the top of the head.
Wood, natural ocher.

123 cm.

A photo presents a similar object in the ethnic context.

PROVENANCE: Old Dutch private collection.

The ceremonial house of Abelam or KOROMBO was the ritual center of the village. Behind the tall, triangular facade entirely covered with multicolored paint, representing ancestors and other spirits, was a space in which the Abelam held statues, paintings, and other ritual items related to the ancestors.

This great male figure -NGGWALNDU- or "father of the father" was also preserved in the initiation houses. The statue was probably lying on the ground on the back.

The art objects found in the KOROMBO represented clan spirits or supernatural beings. The NGGWALNDU were among the most powerful of all. The initiates were informed of their identity only at the
end of the initiation, which could sometimes last more than thirty years. The NGGWALNDU are usually painted in bright colors, at the top of the head, the hornbill is depicted. The Hornbill was an
important TOTEM animal for the Abelams.