Figurine
Maker
Robinson Fairo
Description
A maraufau (male initiate) with white ear plugs carries a bonito (waiau), or skipjack tuna fish. The young man has etched and blackened facial tattoos, 'sitaramata' on the side and 'quari' on the forehead. Because it is sacred, the bonito is connected with the puberty initiation rites of young males. Not seen in traditional carving, free-standing figurines are characteristic of the 'New' (non-traditional) carving of the Solomon Islands.
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