Ot Danum Dayak. Central Kalimantan, Borneo Island, Indonesia.
Hardwood. H: 33.75" (85.7 cm).

This sculpture, a vessel for spiritual presence, represents a specific deified female ancestor, one of the founders of the
village of clan. She wears a sarong, necklace, numerous armbands and plays a small drum held under her left arm.

The detailed carving of a sarong and abundant jewelry denotes her as a noblewoman of the highest rank.
Brass coils, beads, elaborate textiles, and imported goods were indications of wealth, social standing, and beauty.

The addition of the drum is an important detail. It is not just an instrument, but also a sacred tool for communication with
the spirit world. The open mouth and drum under her arm forever captures her in a state of ritual performance. This could
be interpreted in several ways: a funeral dirge to guide the souls to the afterlife (a primary concern in Dayak cosmology),
a ritual chant sung during major festivals to honor ancestors and restore cosmic balance, or to recount the history and laws of
the village or clan, thus cementing her role as a foundational figure.

The sculpture was integrated into a smaller house-shaped shrine placed in front of the larger village longhouse. The sculpture is a
multifunctional sacred object, serving as a physical support and a spiritual cornerstone of the shrine and the village. Daily life and rituals
all unfold under the ancestors gaze, ensuring their blessings, fertility for crops, social cohesion, and protection from malevolent forces.

Ex: Richard and Jan Baum collection. Los Angeles. Collected in the 1980s.

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