Circle Pa’ulu Karua Wooden Painting B

This circular Torajan wooden carving unites two ancestral motifs. At its center, the pa’ulu karua, meaning “eight heads,” honors the mythological ancestors who passed down vital knowledge from agriculture to craftsmanship, symbolizing the hope that descendants inherit wisdom and serve their community.
Encircling it, the pa’lolo tabang is inspired by the leaf tips of the lenjuang plant, which is traditionally planted near wells as a symbol of living water and is also valued for its medicinal properties. This motif reflects prayers for physical health, mental serenity, and protection from illness, carrying the hope that all members of the household live in harmony and vitality. Together, these carvings express prayers for well-being and the preservation of generational knowledge.

Toraja, circa 1970
Material: Woodcarving and Paint
Dimension: 37 x 37 x 1 cm