Papua New Guinea, East Sepik Province, Sepik River, Singarin Village
Initiation figure Early 20th Century prior to 1947 , wood, glass beads, fibre, ochre24.0 (h) x 10.0 (w) x 7.5 (d) cm The Australian Museum
Small female images are comparatively rare in the lower Sepik region. It has been suggested that the Initiation figure originated at Singarin village on the main course of the Sepik River. A number of similar female figures exist, but few have the tiny figures at the base that may represent children.
This figures is connected to women’s initiation rites and represents a spirit being or ancestral spirit that gives power, has the ability to foretell and divine the future, ease a difficult pregnancy and determine the sex of unborn babies, as well as assisting in love magic. Young female initiates sleep nearby to them and they are kept for in small baskets in the rafters of their owner’s house. The figures often require the attentions of their owners. If they are ignored they have the power to inflict minor illness upon members of the household.
Small female images are comparatively rare in the lower Sepik region. It has been suggested that the Initiation figure originated at Singarin village on the main course of the Sepik River. A number of similar female figures exist, but few have the tiny figures at the base that may represent children.
This figures is connected to women’s initiation rites and represents a spirit being or ancestral spirit that gives power, has the ability to foretell and divine the future, ease a difficult pregnancy and determine the sex of unborn babies, as well as assisting in love magic. Young female initiates sleep nearby to them and they are kept for in small baskets in the rafters of their owner’s house. The figures often require the attentions of their owners. If they are ignored they have the power to inflict minor illness upon members of the household.
Small female images are comparatively rare in the lower Sepik region. It has been suggested that the Initiation figure originated at Singarin village on the main course of the Sepik River. A number of similar female figures exist, but few have the tiny figures at the base that may represent children.
This figures is connected to women’s initiation rites and represents a spirit being or ancestral spirit that gives power, has the ability to foretell and divine the future, ease a difficult pregnancy and determine the sex of unborn babies, as well as assisting in love magic. Young female initiates sleep nearby to them and they are kept for in small baskets in the rafters of their owner’s house. The figures often require the attentions of their owners. If they are ignored they have the power to inflict minor illness upon members of the household.
