Figure (uli)

For many centuries remarkable wooden figures were used by the people living in small villages in the mountain valleys and rain forest in northern New Ireland. These figures, now known as uli, were used during fertility ceremonies that took place after someone had died. Smaller figures such as this one were tied to the top of conical houses that were used to display larger uli figures. Each time an uli was used, it was washed clean and repainted. Some, such as this small figure, are probably several hundred years old. Uli figures all look extremely masculine with their beards, stout appearance, and penis, yet they all display well-developed breasts. It may be that the breasts represented the responsibility of a leader to feed and nurture his people.