The Story
- Mahafaly AloAlo Grave Post Fragment, Madagascar
- Fragment of the top part of an Aloalo grave pile and so-called "Guardian of the Dead"
- The figurine depicts 4 figures of which the middle one is a small boy who is being circumcised and held by 2 other people and the 3rd performing the circumcision.
- This piece is from the 1930s-1950s of the "Mahafaly" ethnic tribe living in the southwestern part of Madagascar in the Basibasy region. This tribe lives semi nomadically in the very arid dry landscape where marine animals are caught on the coast and where the arid landscape is cultivated together with the keeping of large herds of cattle, mostly the Zebu cow.
- Like all Madagascans, they are convinced that the soul of the deceased roams around the family home for a long time.The tribes from the south keep in touch with the deceased by means of ceremonial communication which is established through a type of trance called "Tromba". During this ceremony it seems that the participants are possessed.
- Also, the relics are cleaned that lose their meaning after a long time (decades) because the souls of the deceased have met its creator God and after that the contact will be broken. After this, sometimes new sculptures take their place and the old sculptures are sold / destroyed / or ground into powder to perform "grisgris" = sorcery with them.
- The real AloAlo is an artistic rarity, as the ancestor cult, which originates from Papa New Guinea, was only physically manifested in these tomb piles in Madagascar.
- The aloalo represents death and must be kept away from the living. In fact, the places where the graves are located are closed to access, except at the time of burial and in the event that herds have wandered there. Otherwise you have to go through very strict rituals. Those that could be seen along national roads were initially in the forest, but roads had to be built to facilitate movement. Some Mahafaly saw it as an opportunity to show their greatness to the world!
- Totems were originally reserved for kings and queens to symbolize their nobility, but today anyone can use them to display their wealth. The more a tomb is provided, the higher the status of the deceased. Other elements are added to these attributes of wealth, notably zebu horns, the number of which corresponds to the livestock owned by the deceased. Indeed, everything must be performed and consumed during this funeral.
- Even the shapes of the tombs are exceptional, ranging from a simple vault to a palace, including an airplane, a boat, etc. You should know that these tombs are the new homes of the deceased, where they will live forever. So it would be better if they were ready, especially as one becomes an ancestor, a razana, to whom the living worship belongs. Indeed, according to Malagasy belief, ancestors are the intermediary between God (Andriamanitra or Zanahary in the coastal dialect) and the living.
- Measurements: 26.5×13.5cm
- Condition: Due to age and standing outside in wind and weather, this statue has oxidized and weathered. This figurine has a few dried lichens and you can also see the weathering in the wood, but the hardwood is not brittle.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Description
- Mahafaly AloAlo Grave Post Fragment, Madagascar
- Fragment of the top part of an Aloalo grave pile and so-called "Guardian of the Dead"
- The figurine depicts 4 figures of which the middle one is a small boy who is being circumcised and held by 2 other people and the 3rd performing the circumcision.
- This piece is from the 1930s-1950s of the "Mahafaly" ethnic tribe living in the southwestern part of Madagascar in the Basibasy region. This tribe lives semi nomadically in the very arid dry landscape where marine animals are caught on the coast and where the arid landscape is cultivated together with the keeping of large herds of cattle, mostly the Zebu cow.
- Like all Madagascans, they are convinced that the soul of the deceased roams around the family home for a long time.The tribes from the south keep in touch with the deceased by means of ceremonial communication which is established through a type of trance called "Tromba". During this ceremony it seems that the participants are possessed.
- Also, the relics are cleaned that lose their meaning after a long time (decades) because the souls of the deceased have met its creator God and after that the contact will be broken. After this, sometimes new sculptures take their place and the old sculptures are sold / destroyed / or ground into powder to perform "grisgris" = sorcery with them.
- The real AloAlo is an artistic rarity, as the ancestor cult, which originates from Papa New Guinea, was only physically manifested in these tomb piles in Madagascar.
- The aloalo represents death and must be kept away from the living. In fact, the places where the graves are located are closed to access, except at the time of burial and in the event that herds have wandered there. Otherwise you have to go through very strict rituals. Those that could be seen along national roads were initially in the forest, but roads had to be built to facilitate movement. Some Mahafaly saw it as an opportunity to show their greatness to the world!
- Totems were originally reserved for kings and queens to symbolize their nobility, but today anyone can use them to display their wealth. The more a tomb is provided, the higher the status of the deceased. Other elements are added to these attributes of wealth, notably zebu horns, the number of which corresponds to the livestock owned by the deceased. Indeed, everything must be performed and consumed during this funeral.
- Even the shapes of the tombs are exceptional, ranging from a simple vault to a palace, including an airplane, a boat, etc. You should know that these tombs are the new homes of the deceased, where they will live forever. So it would be better if they were ready, especially as one becomes an ancestor, a razana, to whom the living worship belongs. Indeed, according to Malagasy belief, ancestors are the intermediary between God (Andriamanitra or Zanahary in the coastal dialect) and the living.
- Measurements: 26.5×13.5cm
- Condition: Due to age and standing outside in wind and weather, this statue has oxidized and weathered. This figurine has a few dried lichens and you can also see the weathering in the wood, but the hardwood is not brittle.
