Old Dayak Bahau House Guardian Figure With Hornbill From Ironwood

This Dayak Bahau guardian figure, carved from ironwood, is a highly symbolic and sacred artifact among the Dayak Bahau people of Borneo. These guardian figures incorporating elements like the hornbill, serve both protective and spiritual purposes. Here’s more context about these objects:

1. Function and Symbolism:
   • These figures are traditionally placed in or near longhouses to protect the community from malevolent spirits, intruders, or bad luck.
   • They often represent ancestral spirits, believed to watch over the living and maintain harmony between the physical and spiritual realms.
   • The inclusion of the hornbill, a revered bird in Dayak culture, symbolizes connection to the heavens, spiritual guidance, and strength.
2. Material – Ironwood:
   • Ironwood, or “ulin,” is chosen for its durability and resistance to decay, qualities that reflect the enduring protection provided by the guardian.
   • The toughness of ironwood is also symbolic of the resilience of the Dayak people and their traditions.
3. Design Features:
   • The figures may feature stylized carvings of ancestors, animals, or mythical beings.
   • The hornbill motif is often incorporated into the design due to its sacred role in Dayak cosmology, where it is seen as a messenger between humans and the spiritual world.
4. Rituals and Beliefs:
   • Such figures are usually consecrated through rituals to imbue them with protective powers.
   • The Dayak Bahau believe these figures can also act as intermediaries, allowing the ancestors to interact with the living community.
     Collected in the early 80s from east Kalimantan. Bahua area .

H – 50 x 12 x 12 cm / 3.143 kg

Price include shipping worldwide by air parcel.