ASMAT, Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Wood, polychrome with mineral pigments, lime, ochre, charcoal and sago leaf fibre. Wuramon" spirit canoe, vehicle for departed souls. Wuramon are created for one-off use during the emak cem (bone house festival), a ceremony celebrating the spirits of men who have died during the year and the initiation of young boys. Other figures (birds, turtles....) symbolise fertility and accompany these beings. This imagery may well have illustrated the belief in the "Vessel of Souls" or "Boat of Souls", frequently mentioned in the mythical tales of various peoples. the mythical tales of the various Indonesian peoples, and depicted on Dôngsonian bronzes from the last few centuries BC. Length: 128 cm. Width : 30 cm. Depth : 178 cm.