Dayak Iban Spiritual Healing Calendar

Dayak Iban Spiritual Healing Calendar Panel – Borneo

This finely carved wooden panel is a spiritual healing calendar used by the Dayak Iban tribe of Borneo, specifically by shamans (manang) during ritual healing ceremonies. It is crafted from dense tropical hardwood, likely belian (ironwood), prized for its strength and spiritual protection.

At the top, a stylized human head symbolizes ancestral guidance or the presence of a spirit helper, essential in shamanic work. The front surface is divided into horizontal bands, each filled with intricate geometric and floral patterns, possibly denoting specific ritual days, healing stages, or ceremonial chants. Rows of small perforations may have marked time or been used to tie ritual threads or charms.

The reverse features a large spiral serpent, a powerful symbol in Dayak cosmology associated with healing, transformation, and water spirits. The coiled form suggests energy, protection, and renewal.

Such panels served not only as ritual timekeepers but also as sacred tools, connecting the spiritual and physical realms. They guided the healer through cycles of illness and recovery, aligning their actions with cosmic and ancestral forces. These rare artifacts encapsulate the Iban worldview, where spiritual balance and communal well-being are deeply interwoven.

Estimated to be from the early to mid-20th century.

H – 24 x 11 x 2 cm

Height with stand – 31 cm / 392 g

Price include custom stand and shipping worldwide by air mail,