WAGA FIGURES - Konso People, Ethiopia, Tribal Art - Pair

Description

WAGA FIGURES -  Konso People, Ethiopia, Tribal Art - Pair
The Konso, a tribal group that lives in the South East of Ethiopia, are famous for their WAGA sculptures. The Waga figures are simply carved elongated wooden memorial figures honoring the memory of tribal members. The are often done in groupings and are used as grave markers.
The Waga carvings are part of the traditions of the Konso people. Modern Wagas or mini-Wagas are carved specifically for sale to tourists and the same person what carve the souvenir Waga also carve the “real” ones.
These two mini-Wagas were purchased from the carver in 2020 in his 500 year old village of Konso — which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
They measure about 13 ½” long by 2” wide.
The Konso are mix of Christians, Moslems and Animists. The top of their houses usually display a cross, crescent or jug to identify to which group they belong. Note that one of the mini-Wagas has a cross on the back as a form of identity of the represented individual.
Sold “as is” & “as pictured” so please look at all the photos which are part of the description of these two figures.
Why selling? Seniors downsizing.