Clasification of ancestral statues according to it's form and function

Deities (Upulera)

A deity statue which has an anthropomorphic form, being in a sitting position and the knees are bent reaching his chest and both arms resting on the knees. This statue is placed on a carved wooden pole. On the top of the pole, extended to the left and right, are two wings (or a boat symbol). There are two wings, one bigger than the other, probably this symbolizes a vertical-down relationship to dere and luli (the founding fathers) and a vertical-up relationship with “it matromna” (the creator of the universe). The wings wriggles like flames of fire (symbol of divine power). This statue is a personification of the sun god (upulera). Upulera statues are always on poles because of it’s high status.



Fertility statue

The fertility statue “upuinai” is a deity statue of the earth/moon. Fertility statues are female statues in the form of a “tree of life” and than carved in such a way until it has an anthropomorphic form, where the whole surface is covered by carvings of the symbol of fertility. Both arms stretched to the left and right and the tips of her fingers are flames of fire. Included in this classification are also the fertility carvings. Very fine and beautiful spiral carvings carved on a flat wooden surface. There are also standing upright or torso upuinai on a block of wood and a small cup to put offering into.



Founding fathers ancestor statues

There are three types of founding fathers statues, all three are anthropomorphic. The first type has a standard position placed on a wooden pole. The second type has a common style and placed in a boat on a wooden pole. The third type is in a sitting position with both legs on a carved wooden chair.



Protective statues

Among protective statues are “walut” and “protector of the gardens”. Wealut has an anthropomorphic style, standing as well as torso. Usually, walut’s are placed in houses to protect from evil spirits, enemies, thieves and diseases. The “protector of the garden” statues are usually placed at the gardens. It has an anthropomorphic form, either male or female. These statues are very simple made, including some branches functioning as arms or legs. Its face is very simple carved. But the genitals are more detailed and eye-catching. By calling the spirits of the ancestors to stay in these protective statues their gardens will be secured from bad spirits.


Preventive acts like this are a characteristic of a traditional society. Their life depends directly to the nature. They do not have the technology, yet, to use fertilizer, irrigation etc to increase their production. They were forced to surrender to nature and destruction of the plants by pests. They can not fight back using their own strength. That’s why they tried to find protection from other powers which were higher and more powerful than theirs; the supernatural powers. Walut and other protective statues including offering rituals, magic-religious rituals, dances etc, became an important and central role in their society.



Offering statue

There are two types of offering statues. The first one is an ancestor statue consisting of three statues each on a carved wooden pole. The three of them are connected by a horizontal beam positioned slightly under the feet of the statues. Offerings of garden products are hanged on the wooden beam. The second type is a small statue sitting on a carved wooden beam and the beam rested on a carved block of wood. There is also a cup to put in offerings.



Family statues

Family statues are small scale statues either adult or child, malke and female. Distinction between male and female could be seen fom its sitting position, the statues are placed on a wooden plate. Family statues are a manifestation of family members who has passed away. These family statues functions as protective spirits.
Ancestor statues as symbol of authority


The first type of this group is the so called “tongkat komando” (baton). It’s handle or grip is in the form of an ancestor statue, either in standing or sitting position. The sitting position is more complicated with a difficult carving’s technique, on the other hand the standing position is more simple. The second type of this group is called “lirena”; carved house poles of the house of a village head or a noble person. The lirena’s are considered sacred.

The third type of this group is the “babal”; the drum. An ancestral figure in a sitting position holds the drum upon his head. This is a symbol of obedience of the people towards their leaders and spirits of the ancestors. A babal is used to accompany traditional dances. The next type of this group is the

“kowalwaan” which is a spinning wheel and “korluri” which are carved decorations of the king’s boat or house.