Alcheringa Gallery
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Victoria, BC, Canada
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The Three Brothers
James Wanjara
Palembei Village, Middle Sepik River
Papua New Guinea
1996
wood, cowrie shells, sago fibre, natural pigments
12.5" x 34" x 14"
$ 6, 800.00 CDN
CAT# PAL 9642
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'How Kengui Vara takua looked for her sister Dumakua', as told by James Wanjara of Palembei Village to illustrate the meaning of his sacred carving. Because of its ceremonial significance, he was free to reveal only part of the story. James explained that the two snakes and the female figure are one and the same and that the three transform from one to the other.
"Long long ago, two sisters called Dumakua and Kengui Vara Takua lived happily together in the village. One day the elder sister packed up her things and left without telling anyone where she was going.
After she has been gone for two days, Kengui Vara Takua went to see what her sister had left behind. When she found nothing she cried for her sister Dumakua.
Next day Kengui Vara Takua called her brothers Paligaui, Kinginkame and Angutikame and when they arrived she told them they needed to search for their sister.
So they travelled down the Sepik looking for her among the grasses, making song and crying as they went. Neither Kengui Vara Takua nor her brothers were ever seen again, but at the place where they disappeared there stands a large rock. Today when we paddle out on the Sepik we see this rock. Some say it is just a dead rock but we know it isn't a dead rock. it is Kengui Vara Takua looking for her sister Dumakua."
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