Shaman’s Bench - Tukano Indians, Amazonas State, Northwest Brazil

SHAMAN’S BENCH
Tukano Indians, Amazonas State, North-West Brazil
Wood and pigments
H: 13; L: 28; W: 16 cm

A small bench or seat with a slightly convex seat, decorated with a rich design painted using genipap – a fruit whose pulp is distinctive for containing black pigments. The scroll-like or stylised ‘J’-shaped motifs refer to Araparyrana or Ma’vi, the forest tree demon. Accompanied by the Wind mask (Oma) and the Butterfly demon (Beru), it appeared during the ritual initiation ceremony marking a young girl’s passage into adulthood at puberty.

According to the explorer and ethnographer Curt Nimuendaju, although the masks depict malevolent and feared forest demons, they are neither threatening nor dangerous when worn, but frolic exuberantly. In the wild, the demons live in mountain caves connected to the underworld (na: ‘pi’); they practise cannibalism and are very dangerous.

Provenance:
- Former collection of Joao Americo Peret, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Former American private collection.

LP7105

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON