Middle Sepik River Ancestral Figure.

The Mighty Sepik River in far north Papua New Guinea is divided into Upper, Middle and Lower Sepik cultural regions. The Middle Sepik Region being the home of the Itmul cultural Clans who hold onto their traditional, ancient society and beliefs to this present day and the most prolific region for finding Sepik artefact's in so many various forms.

Yumuk Village is a two hour trek inland from the Middle Sepik riverbanks and although it borders onto the Sepik Plains which is the Abelam cultural land, Yumuk is very much an Itmul Clan Society and consists of seven  village clusters each of has its own Clans and own sacred "Haus Tambarans" (Men's Spirit House). Within Yumuk society there are many strong ancestral, cultural beliefs.

This figurine represents a female ancestor spirit, who is believed protect the children within the owners village home. Made from timber, the external sides are adorned with cassoway feathers, (a large, flightless and highly aggressive bird found in the depth of the rainforest), with small nasa shells for its eyes, this figure is a beautiful example despite a small crack in the very top of the head. The figure has an attractive patina and colouration which displays its old age. These ancestral female figures were made in various sizes  going up to five feet in height.   The carving of these beautiful figures ceased approximately 30 years ago and are impossible to find any more.