Sumbanese Merapu Bone Carving

This is a traditional carving from the seldom visited island of Sumba in Indonesia.I acquired this in one of the many small villages I visited while there. It's still largely untouched by modernity and the old animist beliefs run strong there. Some people are still buried in Medgaliths and the dead are buiried with offerings and possesions for the next life. These dead whose spirits are called Merapu can be stored in the roof of a family's hut until enough 'wealth' has been accumilated to ensure a satisfied afterlife, often being stored for years. In the animist tradition many animals are slaughtered for offerings.

This carving is one such possesion. It is from a legbone of a young buffalo. The bone is stained so the relief carving motif stands out.
The head 'cap' is handcrafted from wood. The two main depications are of he Merapu spriits, while the head which is reminiscent of the Easter Island effiigies plugs the hollow of the bone. This is also a functional offering as the statue would be fillled with the highly prized Betel Nut, which is ubiquitiously used on the island. It is a mildly intoxicating stimulant that is believed to endow virility.

Based in Galway city but I can post this.

Thanks for looking

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