Dagari Shrine Figure with Bulbous Head

This knob-footed Dagari figure sports a belt as well as loin covering. The mark on the back of the bulbous head indicates where the shrine figure leaned against the shrine wall for decades. Dagari shrine figures honor a deceased male ancestor. It is said that in former times, the passing of a Dagari male who had achieved the status of a grandfather required that the eldest grandson should go to the forest and collect a forked tree or branch from which to carve a memorial figure with which to honor him. The figure would be installed in the family shrine and chicken blood, millet beer and other sacrifice offerings would be ritually applied. 

27″

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