Female Tamberan House Ancestor Figure

Female Tamberan House Ancestor Figure

Oceanic

Abelam Culture

East Sepik Province, New Guinea (Oceania)

These male (see Accession #: 1971.159 B14) and female figures resemble the ancestral spirit figures that are found attached to the load-bearing poles of Abelam culture ceremonial men's houses, also known as Tamberan (sacred spirit) houses. Like such Abelam figures, these sculptures are carved in an abstracted style, and they feature overt sexual indicators. The smaller figure is identifiable as male by his prominent genitalia, while the female figure is identifiable by her very lightly carved, pendulous breasts and the black, slitted triangle at her groin; both figures further emphasize their sex by pointing to their genitalia. The figures are accented with pigment in the traditional Abelam painting colors of black, white, yellow, and red.

As sculptures within the Tamberan houses, these two images would be part of the complex of ancestral spirit motifs that appear on the facade and interior of the house. The traditional purpose of the Tamberan house is to serve as a ceremonial structure where men would gather for community business and to conduct the many stages of the ritualistic initiation of boys into adulthood. Such images as these are believed to protect the community, and they serve to propagate the Abelam's great respect for tradition and for their ancestors.

Researched and conserved by Natha Klingensmith, 2011, MSU student, under the direction of Dr. Billie Follensbee

20th

176.5 cm h x 22.8 cm w x 11.4 cm d

sculpture

wood & pigment

carving

Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Morton D. May, 1967

1971.237

1971

20110077