Inyai-Ewa or Alambak culture. Upper Karawari River, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
Wood. H: 17” (43.2 cm), W: 4.25” (10.8 cm), D: 9” (22.9 cm).

Along the Karawari (Korewori) River, a tributary of the Sepik River, figures known as yipwon are found in the back of men’s ceremonial houses.
These supremely powerful carvings of ancestral spirits can be called up to assist with warfare, head- hunting, and big-game hunting of wild boar, cassowary birds, and other creatures of the forest. The yipwon spirits, once their images were anointed and activated with offerings, collected food
and hunted the prey in advance of a hunting party.

Ex: Orange County, California collection.