Placed at the entrance of a village, this
imposing figure was intended to ward off evil
spirits. The statue is in fact beautifully
proportioned; with a bulging forehead, long
neck, broad shoulders and enormous
stomach,
combined to project a force that is very
effective. The protruding stomach is
balanced
by the extended mouth, each with radiating
white lines (like waves of energy), indicating
scarification. In a region where food can be
scarce, corpulence is not only a sign of
wealth,
but also of the person being in favor with the
spirit world. The powerful form of the mouth
gives the impression of a great primordial
wind,
capable of blowing away any spirit intruders.
This extraordinary statue epitomizes the
universal human drive to combat the evil
forces
that endanger our survival.
- (PF.4776)
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