payback figure (figure)

Payback figure, one of a pair, female. These anthropomorphic standing figures are 'tourist' copies of a traditional 'payback' figure which was a stylized image of a person who had been killed; traditionally the figures were discarded when the death was avenged.
These hand made figures are created from a wooden structure padded and wrapped with leaves. The female figure is covered in white mud, which is traditionally worn during the mourning period, She wears a grass skirt, Job's tears seed necklace, and a red cane necklace, with an old net bag worn as a head covering. All this is traditional mouring attire for women in this area.