Household deity figure

Siraha salawa are large, intricately carved and well polished images that represent the founding father of the household. They are also sometimes called siraha omo, the word omo means house, and were thought to be protectors of the household. They were given offerings during important ceremonies which may have been placed in the small bowl cupped in the hands of the figure. In North Nias, the term salawa means chieftain so the name of the image literally translates as ‘chief deity image’.

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Figure of deity

Deity figure

Figure of a seated deity

A man painting a paper deity figure