Figura d'esperit nggwalnadu

The Abelam people, from the northern area of the Sepik River, are renowned for their spectacular men¿s houses and their complex and lengthy initiation rituals. It begins in childhood and lasts for twenty or thirty years, during which time each boy has to go through eight different rites before being considered a fully initiated man. The rites consist of both tough physical tests and contemplation of sacred objects placed in rooms inside the men¿s houses. Large figures such as this one have a leading role during the final stage of the rites and are said to be the powerful clan of the nggwalandu spirits. The sculptures are leant against the large triangular painted façades of the men¿s houses, which, in the case of the Abelam, are particularly tall and splendid. Depending on the area where they come from, the Abelam artists usually offer different explanations about the design of the images that they represent. Whatever the case, the most important thing for the artist is that the work causes a major impact based on airs of holiness and power. In this way, as elements of the final stage of the ritual, the nggwalandu sculptures must communicate the mysterious and impressive world that has gradually been revealed to the young man during all the stages of the long ritual cycle. These figures are usually sculpted from a single tree trunk and are painted with bright colours, since the Abelam believe that the colour gives the figures soul and supernatural powers.