A NIAS STATUE

Provenance: Private collection Ed Smit, The Hagues

Ancestors worship was at the core of Nias beliefs and idols played important roles in each family’s life. When older people died the family would make a sculpture made of wood , called Adu Zatua. The statue was unveiled on the fourth day after death. Nias people believed that the spirits of the deceased person were present in the statue (ancestor worship)
Nias Island, Indonesia
Wood, First part 20th century

Price:  Sold