Ancestral figure, Southern Abelam Papua New Guinea 26 inches Ex Hamson

Ancestral figure, Southern Abelam ancestral figure with hornbill on head, dark aged patina, pierced nasal septum. The projections above each shoulder represent the bone daggers the Abelam men stick in a woven arm band around their biceps. This is called a Wakinyan figure.

These have been identified variously as long yam children (Forge), yam spirit portraits (Koch), or as male or female clan ancestors whose names they bear (Austin and Teilhet). They are related to the cultivation of long yams. Wakinyan are not restricted to initiated males, but are accessible to all males. Condition of piece as seen in photos; there are abrasions, chips and losses as to be expected in ancient objects.

See my other listing for additional African and Asian arts. The item "Ancestral figure, Southern Abelam Papua New Guinea 26 inches Ex Hamson" is in sale since Saturday, December 18, 2021. This item is in the category "Antiques\Ethnographic\Pacific Islands & Oceania". The seller is "johnbaileysr" and is located in Keller, Texas. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South africa, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Norway, Saudi arabia, Ukraine, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Chile, Colombia, Costa rica, Panama, Trinidad and tobago, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei darussalam, Bolivia, Ecuador, Egypt, French guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman islands, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macao, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Peru, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Viet nam, Uruguay.

Style: Pacific Islands & Oceania
Material: wood
Original/Reproduction: Original
Color: Brown