Early 20th Century Giriama Funerary Memorial Post (Kikangu) Kenya

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The Giriama people of Kenya are renowned for their artistic production, particularly carved posts topped with a schematic head and … Read more The Giriama people of Kenya are renowned for their artistic production, particularly carved posts topped with a schematic head and engraved motifs. Made from durable hardwood to withstand the elements and insect damage, these posts are a prominent representation of Giriama artistry.
Similarities are noted between Giriama carved posts and pieces from other cultures such as the Dinka, Bongo, and Konso. Known as Vigango, these posts serve various purposes, including use as grave markers and shrine pieces. They are often housed in a special structure called Kijogo, oriented towards the East.
Vigango funerary posts typically depict male figures, symbolizing the spirits of deceased members of the Gohu society. These figures come in different sizes and may represent leaders, warriors, hunters, or other Gohu society members. It remains unclear whether these figures are portraits of the deceased, but they are believed to embody the spirits of the departed.
Vigango are carved posthumously, particularly when the appearance of an unhappy spirit in a dream prompts the living relatives. Commissioned by the deceased's family, these funeral posts are presented during second funeral ceremonies, ensuring a proper welcome for the deceased into the ancestor world. Serving as commemorative sculptures, Vigango symbolically receive the spirit of the deceased.
Cannot stand on its own.







Height (In): 23.0Width (In): 3.0Depth (In): 2.0







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