Adu so bawa zihono

Adu so bawa zihono

Origin: South Nias, North Sumatra, Indonesia.

Material: Wood.

Adu so bawa zihono, "image of a thousand faces", are the largest type of ancestors figures seen in South Nias and their name refers to the relief carvings of faces that invariably appear on the forked projections, daha, of these armless figures. These adu were made to alleviate misfortunes due to sins. The enlarged sex organs of these adu symbolize the fertility of crops and animals resulting from succesful headhunting, traditionally a social responsibility of young males. If young men did not fulfill their duty as warriors, misfortune might befall the community. Villagers would then respond to the consequent disaster by commisioning adu buwa zihono sculptures.