This is a beautiful Yena Yam Harvest Cult Figure Carved from the Tribal People of the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea. This Yena figure is carved out of wood with earth pigments of red white and ash. This culture share a unique art tradition associated with a religious cult centered on the cultivation of yams.
Carved wooden heads such as this one are created for yena, the first of these harvest rituals. The creation of prominent eyes and noses, yena heads represent ancient and powerful spirits. During the ritual, village men assemble a pile of yams within the ceremonial house. The stick like bases of the yena are inserted into the yam pile; in this case the yams were most likely attached to the spiky protrusions that resemble the back of a crocodile. The heads of such figures are decorated with brightly colored leaves, feathers, and other ornaments.
This is an amazing piece of Papua New Guinea Art that would be fabulous in your collection or home. Late 20th-Century COMES ON A STAND Shows age, some discoloration, but in good condition 54" Tall 10 3/4" wide 5 deep AT BACARA WE STAND BEHIND ALL OF OUR MERCHANDISE. YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR MAIN GOAL, AND WE THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AT BACARA. The item "Papua New Guinea Yena Yam Spirit Wood Figure 54" is in sale since Monday, November 4, 2019.
This item is in the category "Antiques\Ethnographic\Pacific Islands & Oceania". The seller is "bacara-online" and is located in Overland Park, Kansas. This item can be shipped worldwide.