Ancestor Figure (Siraha Salawa or Siraha Nomo)

Ancestors played a central role in the art and religion of the Ono Niha people of Nias Island. In the past, artists created a variety of ancestor images (adu), which housed the spirits of ancestors and allowed for communication between the human and supernatural worlds. Although all households had ancestor figures, larger, more refined ancestor images (siraha salawa or siraha nomo), such as the seated male figure seen here, were restricted to the aristocracy and represented remote and illustrious ancestors, often the founders of noble families. The figures are depicted wearing the elaborate crowns and other ornaments of gold that were the prerogative of the high nobility. Ono Niha men typically were clean shaven, and this figure's pronounced facial hair probably represents a ceremonial moustache and beard fashioned from gold, which were worn by some noblemen on festive occasions.