Splendidly carved Adu Siraha Salawa (statue of the founding father) with a rich and authentic patina obtained from decades of physical contact by Nias island inhabitants. This wooden work of art was carved in great detail honoring a deceased tribe elder of the village of Orahilli in South Nias. The figure sits on a forked stool holding a bowl with both hands. Apart from a necklace (nifato-fato) and a head cloth the figure is completely naked. The turban-like cloth (saembu) is twisted and hangs symmetrically on both sides of the head. In the right ear there is an 8-shaped ear ornament  (gaule or saro dalinga), as is often seen in Nias carvings. This ornament in the right ear together with the bracelet (Töla gasa) on the right arm is typical for male ancestral figures. This is further emphasized by the stylized beard and moustache and the pronounced genitalia. Typically South Nias (which hosted the most artistically skilled craftsmen) carvings are very detailed and have a naturalistic style.

The figure would have been placed in the house of the village and served to protect against angry spirits. Offerings were made in the bowl and this figure seems to have been worshipped by touching the head as the wood is smoothly polished here through the ages. Also the left underarm shows signs of this worshipping and is yet another indication of its authenticity and age.

The figure is resting on a pedestal cut out of the same wood with a spiral pattern on the front. There is no damage other than shows of age and a small shallow crack over right chest.

Collection #: 160
Size: 56cm (h) x 18cm (w) x 17cm (d) and 6.5kg
Age: 20th century
Material: Hardwood
Origin: Orahilli, Nias Island, Sumatra
Publications:
Similar carvings can be seen in Feldman et al. 1990, Nias Tribal Treasures (cat nr. 41, 42 & 43). In Museums in Europe less than a dozen of pieces like this with a turban exist. The most similar pieces are located in Geneva (Barbier Mueller: INV. 3250-C) and in Wuppertal (Völkerkundemuseum Wuppertal: # R7). The older specimens (collected late nineteenths century) are carved with far less detail and realism (Berlin: # IC 10141 & IC 31253; Tropenmuseum Amsterdam: # 15-315 & 1588-2; Wereldmuseum Rotterdam: # 27160; Natuurhistorisch Leiden: # 4728 / 3; Jakarta National Museum: # 25349).

Overview of Orahilli in South Nias

The village square of Orahilli

Geneva (#3250-C)

Rotterdam (#27160)

Amsterdam (#15-315)

Amsterdam (#1588-2)