Adu Zatua – Twelve Nias Ancestors

The Adu Zatua sculptures of the Nias people are ancestor statues carved to honor deceased family members, believed to hold the spirits of those they represent. Traditionally kept in family homes, these statues served as spiritual guardians and symbols of lineage. In 1916, however, the “Great Penitence” religious movement led to the destruction of many Adu Zatua statues, as they were seen as idolatrous under the new Christian beliefs. Surviving figures are now rare cultural artifacts, valued for their craftsmanship and historical significance. Each Adu Zatua carving could feature distinct qualities, sometimes in groups symbolizing generations of lineage, with twelve ancestor figures standing as a prominent representation of family history.

Adu Zatua – Ancestor Figure, repro 2000
Origin: Nias, North Sumatra
Material: Wooden Carving
Dimension: 72 x 29 x 4 cm