With fire and power in his eyes, the man stands
erect. The sculpture is an ancestral piece,
representing the dignity and social status of his
family. The two most prominent features are the
objects featured in his hands and his expansive
tattooing. The two gourd-like objects in his
hands may symbolize his occupation with
musical instruments or as a warrior or possibly a
shaman performing a holistic ritual. Whatever his
occupation, the intensity of his face proves his
determination. The plethora of tattooing
indicates that he was still a very important and
influential man in the tribe. His forehead and
cheeks are both decorated in a geometric band
form. The tattooing continues along the
shoulders, arms, chest, legs and back, each in a
different geometric pattern. The sculpture also
shows remnants of a burnishing which would
have given the piece additional brilliance. Who
was this man? And why does he appear to us
with such fire and passion? Though the answer
can never be wholly known, we still have been
given a wonderful opportunity to get to know his
sculptural legacy.
- (PF.3599)
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